Dennis Don Wilkins, 84, of West Point, died at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington.
He was born on Dec. 11, 1940, in Fort Madison, the son of Don D. and Dorothy M. Slee Wilkins. On Sept. 26, 1964, he married Kathleen Rider at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Farmington.
He is survived by his wife: Kathy; children: Tom (Donna) Wilkins of Pleasantville, Iowa, Jani (Greg) Wickett of Humboldt, Iowa, Deb (Kevin) Nimke of Eldridge, Iowa; grandchildren: Brant Wilkins, Aaron Wilkins, Mason (Taylor) Wickett, Ryder Wickett, Grant Nimke and Derek Nimke. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law: Ed and Garnett Rider; brothers: Craig and Gene; sister-in-law: Pat and granddaughters: Grace Nimke and Sydney Nimke.
Dennis was 1959 graduate of Donnellson High School. He worked as a surveyor for Lee County Secondary Roads and Santa Fe Railroad. After retiring, he helped Kathy as a custodian at Marquette/Holy Trinity Catholic School. He enjoyed being around the kids so much that he made it a permanent position. Dennis thoroughly loved music and always had a radio on wherever he was. He particularly enjoyed country music and anything sung by Elvis Presley. Dennis was very creative and would often pen a rhyme to add in family and friends birthday cards. Halloween was his favorite holiday and he would often dress up to scare the neighborhood kids during treat or treat night. He thoroughly enjoyed carving pumpkins and giving them away. Dennis was an avid sports fan and watched just about any sporting event on television. He especially loved the Iowa Hawkeyes and St. Louis Cardinals. Dennis loved his dog, Zoie, as she was his best friend. Above all else, Dennis loved following his children’s and grandchildren’s activities. He was their biggest fan.
His body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.
A visitation will be held from 12 noon to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point, where the family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. that evening.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point with Father Dan Dorau officiating.
Burial will be at Evangelical Cemetery in Donnellson at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established in his memory for Holy Trinity Catholic School or West Point Fire and Rescue.
Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements.