Darlene M Wika

Darlene M. Wika, age 86, rural Clark, the widow of Alvin Wika, died at her home early Saturday morning, February 19, 2011 surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 11AM in the St. Paul Lutheran Church at Clark with The Reverend Robin Schaunaman officiating. Spring burial will be held in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Clark. The organist will be Dorothy Fuller with the congregation singing "Blessed Assurance", "Borning Cry", "Jesus Loves Me", and "Spirit of Gentleness". The casketbearers will be Darryl, Brent and Thayne Wika, Douglas Davis, Randy Stevens and Rod Kluess. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4-6pm at the Furness Funeral Home Chapel in Clark and after 9AM at the Church on Wednesday morning. She was born Darlene M. Stevens on August 5, 1924 on a farm in Clark County, the daughter of Cyril and Mary (Moren) Stevens. She was baptized and confirmed in the St. Paul Lutheran Church at Clark. Darlene attended school in Mt. Pleasant Township and then Clark High School. On January 12, 1942 she was united in marriage to Alvin O. Wika at Clark. Following their marriage the couple moved to California where Alvin was employed at Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica for a short time. They returned to Clark where they purchased a farm northeast of Clark where they have lived since. Alvin died on March 18, 2006, just after they had celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. The couple also enjoyed many years together traveling in a motor home. Darlene was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church at Clark where she taught Vacation Bible School for 23 years, active in the W.E.L.C.A. and the church circles as well as a part of the sewing circle. She loved spending time with her daughters, the grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all other members of her family. In her spare time she enjoyed gardening, stamp and coin collecting and making jean quilts for her grand and great-grandchildren. Darlene will long be remembered for her generosity in sending cards and giving phone calls to family and friends on special occasions. Grateful for having shared in her life are her daughters, Dianne Hess of Barnes, WI, Donette (Roger) Warkenthien of Clark, Pamela (Glen) Larson of Aberdeen and Nancy (Paul) Kramp of Red Wing, MN, 10 grandchildren, Lisa, Dan, Aaron, Maria, Amy, Tanya, Eric, Steven, Weston and Tanner; 16 great-grandchildren, Haley, Austin, Hannah, Alec, Derek, Darin, Roan, Tate, Frankie, Matt, Brittney, Jeremy, Lydia, Thomas, Laurelyn and Cameron. She also leaves her siblings, Marbeth Wika, Dale (Wilma) Stevens and Beverly (Don) Kluess all of Clark and many neices and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Alvin, grandson, Tyler and a brother-in-law, Normal Wika. Thank-God! This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! (Darlene kept a daily journal and this entry was the beginning entry many days) Arrangements are with the Furness Funeral Home at Clark where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com