Kurt Wilske
Des Moines

Kurt R. Wilske was born March 23, 1913 and passed away November 3, 2004. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, November 5 at the First Church of the Open Bible. Cremation will follow services and burial of his cremains will be at a later date in Aberdeen, SD.

Kurt Wilske was raised and worked on his father's ranch near Draper, SD, until the ranch was sold. He married Marie Schweigert in 1936. They lived for a short time in Hot Springs, SD, and Los Angeles, CA. From 1940 to 1962 he managed motion picture theatres in Pierre and Redfield, SD. While in Redfield, he was active in his church, Kiwanis Club, Jaycees and the Chamber of Commerce.

In 1965 he moved to Aberdeen, SD, and was a bookkeeper for Brick Shell Gas until 1976. Afterwards, he worked for Osborn Clothing and later for Plymouth Clothing Company, retiring in 1982. In 1985 he married Erma Ferris; they lived in Des Moines and spent summers in Custer, SD.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marie; his parents; and two brothers. Survivors include his wife, Erma; two sons, Jerry of Iowa City and Larry (Sue) of Flandreau, SD; two grandchildren, Jeffrey and Jennifer (Shannon) Van Dyke; great-grandsons, Austin Lee and Brandon Ray; great-granddaughter, Alecia Marie; three stepchildren, Beverly Channell, Alan Ferris and Linda Johnson; 10 step grandchildren; and 14 step great-grandchildren.

Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the church. Memorial donations in his name may be made to his church.