Obituaries

Lance A. Wilken

FAIRMONT -- A funeral service for Lance A. Wilken, age 78, of Fairmont, Minn., will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, at the United Methodist Church in Fairmont, with interment in Lakeside Cemetery, Fairmont. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church. Lance passed away Wednesday morning, Sept. 21, 2022, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont. Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements.

Lance Albert Wilken was born July 28, 1944, in Fairmont, Minn., the son of Vincent and Aldrid (Erickson) Wilken. Lance attended Fairmont public schools and graduated from Fairmont High School in 1962. On June 4, 1966, Lance was united in marriage to Donna

Meyenburg. This union was blessed with two children, Chris and Cindy. The couple resided in Fairmont and shared over 27 years together before Donna passed away on Nov. 15, 1994. On Dec. 26, 1997, Lance was united in marriage to Susan (Anderson) Thimesch. With this union, Lance was blessed to add stepsons, David and Nick to his family. Lance began his career working as an Engineer for various area businesses including Aerospace Research, Railway Motors, and the Telex Corporation. In 1974, he began working as a reserve officer for the Fairmont Police Department. In December of 1978, Lance became a full-time police officer. He later retired from the department as a Sergeant after 22 years on March 31, 2000; Badge V-31. Lance was a lifetime member of the American Radio Relay League as well as the National Rifle Association. He also held memberships with the Experimental Aircraft Association, Chain Lake Lodge 64, and the Minnesota Police and Peace Officer's Association. During his free time, Lance enjoyed taking the kids ice fishing, boating, and camping when they were younger. He was always interested in aviation and earned his pilot's license and owned various planes throughout his life. He also enjoyed shooting sports as well as communicating with different people using his HAM radio. Lance would join his radio friends every Sunday at 9 a.m. to stay in touch.

Left to cherish his memory include his wife, Susan Wilken of Fairmont, Minn.; son, Chris Wilken and his wife, Julie and their children, Alex and Grady, of Milford, Iowa; daughter, Cindy Wilken and Jesse Chase and their children, Cole and Kinsley, of Cottage

Grove, Minn.; stepsons, David Thimesch and his wife, Renee and their daughter, Mabel, of Gilbert, Ariz., and Nick Thimesch of Fairmont; parents-in-law, Don and Sue Anderson of Fairmont, and Millie and Jim Duflo of Fairmont; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Linda and Bill Ahrens of St. Charles, Iowa; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Along with his parents, Vincent and Aldrid Wilken, Lance was preceded in death by his first wife, Donna Wilken; and sister, Myra-Kay. www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net