Wilbur Jerome Loken

Wilbur "Stubby" Jerome Loken, 86 of Houston, MN died on Monday, December 7, 2015 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI. Born March 13, 1929 in Houston, MN to Martin and Martha (Hilliard) Loken. He spent most of his childhood in Houston and at the age of 15, left school behind and started working. On November 5, 1950 he was united in marriage to Doris McGaffey at Money Creek Methodist Church. He joined the Air Force in 1947, serving 22 years of active service, retiring as a Master Sergeant in 1969. Upon retiring, he returned back to his place of birth in Houston to work for Loerch Implement and then started his second career as the Grounds, Building & Transportation Director for the Houston School District for 28 years. When Wilbur really "retired" he spent his time camping with his wife, Doris, working on his antique cars, tinkering in the garage and enjoyed his Saturday morning visits with his friends at the Houston American Legion.He was a member of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston, 46 year member of the Houston American Legion Post 423 and a member of the Viking Chapter of the Antique Auto Club.Wilbur is survived by his wife, Doris; children, Michael (Brenda) of Crestview, FL, Karen Todd of Houston, MN, Kathleen (Ron) Carrier of Rushford, MN and Elizabeth (Troy Nelson) Strong of La Crosse, WI; 10 grandchildren; 18 great- grandchildren; siblings, Thomas (Rose) Loken of La Crosse, WI, Imogene Carlson of San Jose, CA; sisters-in-law, Glenis Loken of Houston, MN and Kendra Loken of Green Valley, AZ and many nieces and nephews.Wilbur was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Marvin, James, Glenn, Kenneth and sister, Geraldine Griebenow; sisters-in-law, Alice Loken, Vilas Loken; brothers-in-law, Dale Griebenow, Karl Carlson; sons-in-law, Dennis Todd and Alan Strong and nieces, Peggy Loken and Susan (Loken) Knutson.Funeral Service will be 11 a.m., Friday, December 11, 2015 at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston with the Reverend Leonard Liptack officiating. Burial will follow at Stone Church Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m., Thursday at the church and one hour prior to the service on Friday.In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be designated to Cross of Christ Lutheran Church.Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service - Houston is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share a memory of Wilbur, sign his online guestbook and view his video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/654587