Harlan D. Wilke, age 79, of Lisbon, ND died from a heart attack suffered at his home Thursday morning August 27, 2015.
He was born in Underwood North Dakota December 2, 1935 the youngest of three children to Emil and Gladys (Thrailkill) Wilke. He received his education and graduated high school in Underwood in 1953, where he had twelve years of perfect attendance and was late for class only one time. He worked a short time at a bowling alley, a service station and on the Garrison Dam prior to enlisting in the United States Army. He served time in Texas, Massachusetts, Panama and Cape Cod. Following a year of correspondence with a young lady from Sheldon, ND, courtesy of the United States Postal Service. He met and married Karen Carter in Underwood December 2, 1955.
They returned to Underwood, then Bismarck where their first two children of five were born, Richard and Linda. They moved to Lisbon where he started work for the creamery hauling milk from local farms to the creamery. He also shoveled grain at the elevators and laid carpet and other various jobs for Bolkens. Harlan also managed Lisbon Bowl for a short time.
Harlan acquired his CDL license and drove semi for a long haul trucking firm out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Having Lisbon as their place of residence, Harlan got acquainted with then police chief Earl Anderson, a deputy position was open, in the later 60s’ and he applied. This led to a thirty-nine year career with the Lisbon Police Department. During this time Harlan and Karen were blessed with three more children, Randy, David and Renae.
Harlan started driving bus for the school district a short time after that (he loved that position) he continued driving up until the time of his death. Harlan also had a twenty plus year career with the North Dakota Army National Guard, having to but not wishing to retire after reaching the age of sixty.
In their spare time, Harlan and Karen also owned and operated the A&W Drive Inn, later changed name to the Bronco Drive Inn, which they sold in the late 70’s. Harlan also ran the Canteen and the roller skating rink at Sandager Park.
Harlan was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Darlene; brother Wallace, and daughter, Linda Bruns. Harlan is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Karen of Lisbon; sons, Richard Wilke and his wife Theresa of Falling Waters, West Virginia, Randy Wilke and his wife Sue of Helena, Montana, David Wilke and his wife Shawn of Anchorage, Alaska; daughter, Renae Smith and her partner Mike Hoaby of Fargo, North Dakota. He is also survived by grandchildren, Kyle, Cara, Katie, Nikki, Stephanie, Michael, Jr., Jessica, Ashley, Andrea, Ryan, Brianne, Justene, Tiffany, Cody, Carter, and Brandon; great grandchildren, Ella, Skyler, Alexis, Kaitlynn, Cole, Gage and Tex.
The family will begin receiving friends during visitation at 5:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at Armstrong Funeral Home, 11 Main Street in Lisbon. A sharing of stories and memories of Harlan will follow the prayer service at funeral home. A funeral service celebrating Harlan’s life will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at Redeemer Lutheran Church 801 Forest Street in Lisbon. A procession will follow to Oakwood Cemetery where burial with military honors will be accorded by the North Dakota Army National Guard Honor Guard and members of the American Legion Lisbon.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m.
Tuesday September 1, 2015
Armstrong Funeral Home
11 Main Street
Lisbon, ND
Prayer Service & Wake
7:00 p.m.
Tuesday September 1, 2015
Armstrong Funeral Home
11 Main Street
Lisbon, ND
Funeral Service
10:30 a.m.
Wednesday September 2, 2015
Redeemer Lutheran Church
801 Forest Street
Lisbon, ND
Burial with Military Honors
Following the Funeral Service
Wednesday September 2, 2015
Oakwood Cemetery
Lisbon, ND
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m.
Tuesday September 1, 2015
Armstrong Funeral Home
11 Main Street
Lisbon, ND
Prayer Service & Wake
7:00 p.m.
Tuesday September 1, 2015
Armstrong Funeral Home
11 Main Street
Lisbon, ND
Funeral Service
10:30 a.m.
Wednesday September 2, 2015
Redeemer Lutheran Church
801 Forest Street
Lisbon, ND
Burial with Military Honors
Following the Funeral Service
Wednesday September 2, 2015
Oakwood Cemetery
Lisbon, ND
Share
Val Flansaas says
Randy, Earl and I are sorry to hear of the loss of your father. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Karen bryson says
Randy, Thinking of you with the passing of your dad.
Merry Lou Casteel says
Randy, this can’t be easy, even for you! Take care and cherish your good memories.
Brad Bomar says
Sorry for your loss.
Dick and Lori Schultz says
Randy, Sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing Randy. Our prayers are with you….Dick and Lori
Peter and Michelle Van Nice says
Sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Sandi Meyers says
Randy,
I am so sorry about your Father’s passing. You will be in my thoughts and prayers!
John Peskey says
Dear Randy,
My prayers are with you and your family!
I am sorry for your loss. May God remember your father in His kingdom.
Memory Eternal!
DEBBIE MURGEL SCHRAMM says
I AM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. HE RAISED A GOOD SON. KEEP YOUR CHIN UP AND KNOW THAT HE IS SMILING DOWN UPON YOU. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
Elaine and Bob Graveley says
We are so very sorry about the passing of you father. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Kathleen Broussard says
Randy,
We are so sorry about your dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Keith, Kathleen, & Kory Broussard
Steve Kirkegard says
Randy,
Our sympathies and condolences to you and your entire family. We are thinking of you.
Steve and Val Kirkegard
Rita McNees says
Randy, I would like to express my condolences to you and your family for the loss of your father. It is never easy, even in the profession you’re in. My thoughts and prayers are with you . Cherish the memories. May God bless. Rita McNees
Alice & Bill Dove says
Randy, we are so sorry for your loss of your Father. Your in our pryers.
Bill & Alice Dove
CSM(RET) Gerald Miller says
I had the honor and privilege of serving with 1SG (RET) Harlan Wilke. To me he was a serious joker, as he always had a twinkle in his eye as he was discussing issue or down dressing a Soldier and looking for some way to prank someone in some way. He was also very lucky as we used to flip quarters at an afternoon break for sodas. There would be eight to ten Solders flipping quarters to see who would pay for everyone else’s soda, he would always be one of the first ones out. Blessed are we all for having know him.
Niles and Bobbie Nelson says
Randy,
Our condolances to you and your family in the loss of your father; our thoughts and prayers to all of you in this difficult time.
Rose & Taylor Berg says
Randy,
We are saddened to hear of the loss of your father. Hold onto and cherish the memories. The Wilke family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Now we know where you get that twinkle in your eyes and how you got to be a prankster. God Bless.
Bing & Joan Bowers says
Randy,
Sorry to hear of your Father’s passing. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. May all the memories live on.
Mary Brydich says
Randy –
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Thinking of you at this difficult time.
Howard Heffelfinger says
I was not privileged to know Harlan Wilke, but Randy Wilke, through the Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, has given my family and me wonderful and considerate care in our time of need, for which we will be forever grateful. Our heartfelt condolences to Randy and his family for their loss. Harlan sounded like an incredible man, and we regret that we never had the opportunity to know him.
Shauna Longmire says
Randy and the entire Wilke Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
Crystal and Jerry Gray says
My condolences Randy to you and your family. A very hard time, but I know you have beautiful memories. You have an angel in heaven watching over you and your family. You and your family are in our thoughts.