Conrad Joseph John Wilken, 68, a resident of Concrete passed away Sunday, October 12, 2003 at the Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, WA. He was born July 18, 1935 in Torrance, CA the son of Conrad and Anna Heitzman Wilken. Conrad worked as a boiler operator for Shell Oil Refinery in Rialto and Torrance, CA for many years until moving to Concrete 11 years ago where he worked at Shell in Anacortes until his retirement in 1996. He was married to Shirley Maas on July 24, 1954 in Lomita, CA and they celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary this year. He enjoyed tinkering with cars, tractors and lawnmowers and he loved to cut the grass on his four acres. Conrad was creative and could fix anything. He was very much a family man including being a foster parent for twelve years in California. Conrad was a wonderful father and family man and was very close to his children. He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, and the OCAW Union. He is survived by his wife Shirley of the family home in Concrete. A son Thomas Wilken of Concrete and a daughter Christina and her husband Michael of Mount Vernon and a granddaughter Krystalle Wilken of Mount Vernon.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, October 16, 2003 at 10:00AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Sedro-Woolley with Father Dan Chiezey O.P. as Celebrant. Cremation will follow the Services. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 15, 2003 from 9:00AM to 5:00PM at Lemley Chapel. You are invited to share your thoughts and memories of Conrad by signing our online guestbook at www.lemleychapel.com