Harry Wilkes

Harry Wilkes, 88 year old resident of Onamia, MN died on Sunday, October 20, 2013 at the Mille Lacs Health System in Onamia, MN. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 26, 2013 at the Holy Cross Center in Onamia, MN with Luncheon and fellowship to follow service. Arrangements are with the Shelley Funeral Chapel of Onamia. Harry was born in Princeton, Minnesota, on November 19, 1924. He attended Wahkon Elementary School and graduated from Onamia High School in 1942. Harry married his high school sweetheart, Fern Baumgartner, on February 1, 1944. They spent most of their lives working the Wilkes family dairy farm which was homesteaded in the early 1900's. When Peter bought the farm in 1979, Harry became an adjuster for Glendorado Insurance Company and he and Fern moved to the lake at Wahkon. They returned to the farm in 1999, where construction had begun on Higbee's Golf Course. Harry and Fern enjoyed working on the course where they rode their Gators, mowed, trimmed and created flower beds. Harry spent 24 years on the Cove and Onamia school boards, and was also a board member of Onamia Creamery, Mille Lacs Fertilizer, and Glendorado Insurance. He was a Wahkon volunteer fireman; a member of the Masonic Lodge; and helped to build and maintain a farmers' telephone line. Harry was devoted to Fern and their family. He loved cows, current events, family reunions, Democrats, history, traveling, German music, and Asimov's Quiz. He will be especially missed by the 6 a.m. coffee group at Cedarwood. Harry is survived by his wife, Fern; children, Mary (Dick) Jackson and Bette (Dwight) Hagman, both of Onamia; Barbara Krier of St. Paul, and Peter Wilkes (Kathy Clausen) of Williston, North Dakota; grandchildren, Amy, Ben, Andy, Jared, Aaron, Shawn, Josh, Dustin, Danielle, Nicholas; great-grandchildren, Abby, Jackson, Tyler, Drew, Blake, Lexi, Owen (Pederson), Owen (Willis), Molly, Austin, Braden, Colbi, Gavin, Cameron, Monica, and Macie; one sister, Nona Oberg Baker and special friend, Jenny Erickson Wilkes. He was preceded in death by parents, Anna & Harry B. Wilkes, sisters Gretchen and Verna Damar, and an infant brother.

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Harry Wilkes

November 19, 1924 - October 20, 2013