Walter Wilke, 85, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Thursday, April 14, 2022, at his home in Columbus.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 20 at 10:00 AM, at Peace Lutheran Church in Columbus with Rev. Cory Burma officiating. Interment will be in Christ Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue on Wednesday from 9:00 AM until service time at the church. There will be a family prayer service on Wednesday at 9:45 AM at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Peace Lutheran Church, or the donor's choice.

Walter E. Wilke was born July 13, 1936, in Platte County, Nebraska, to Gottlieb and Ruth (Kuehnert) Willke. He was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church, attended Christ Lutheran Grade School and graduated from Kramer High School. Walt worked for Ray Swan building homes and also Loup Public Power District. In 1953, Walt enlisted in the Naval Air Reserves. He spent three months at the Floyd Bennet Naval Air Station in Brooklyn, New York. On August 11, 1957, Walt was united in marriage to Arlene Tietz, (a teacher at Christ Lutheran) at Zion Lutheran Church in Bancroft, Nebraska.

Walter and Arlene farmed and fed cattle in Platte County. Walt was also a Northrup-King seed corn dealer. For 12 years, Walt and Arlene harvested "Hedge Balls" from their Osage Orange trees and sold them to local grocery stores. Even though Walt was a conservationist of wild life, he enjoyed fishing, trapping, and turkey hunting. A number of years ago, two tagged Trumpeter Swans started migrating to Walt and Arlene's lake during the winter months. Walt took an interest in them, built special feeders, purchased special food, and the flock has now grown to hundreds returning each year. Walt was a member of Peace Lutheran Church. Walt loved to travel, spend time with family and friends, was very proud of his grandchildren and dearly loved his great grandchildren.

Walter is survived by
Wife – Arlene Wilke of Columbus, NE
Daughter – Renee (Doug) Sunderman of Norfolk, NE
Son – Tim (Lisa) Wilke of Columbus, NE
Grandchildren – Andrew (Whitney) Sunderman, Stephen Sunderman, Jordan (Anna) Sunderman, Kelsey Sunderman, Justin (Bethany) Wilke, and Dr. Trevor (Tiffany) Wilke
Six Great Grandchildren
Sister-in-law – Jan Wilke of Columbus, NE
Sister-in-law – Carolyn Wilke of Columbus, NE

Walter was preceded in death by:
Parents – Gottlieb and Ruth Wilke
Sisters – Gretchen Schroeder, Ruth Ann Behlen, and Margaret Olson
Brothers – Robert, Julian, and Theodore Wilke

Service Folder Information
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall
not want. He makes me to lie
down in green pastures; He leads
me beside the still waters. He
restores my soul; He leads me
in the paths of righteousness for
His name's sake.
Even though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I will
fear no evil; for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff they comfort
me; You prepare a table before
me in the presence of mine enemies;
You anoint my head with oil,
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall
follow me all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.


In Loving Memory Of

Walter E. Wilke

Born
Monday, July 13, 1936
Platte County, Nebraska

Entered Into Rest
Thursday, April 14, 2022
Columbus, Nebraska

Service
Wednesday, April 20, 2022 10:00 AM
Peace Lutheran Church
Columbus, Nebraska

Officiant
Rev. Cory Burma

Music
Joyce Korte – Organist
"What A Friend We Have In Jesus"
"I'm But A Stranger Here"
"How Great Thou Art"

Casket Bearers
Mark Wilke
Arlyn Wilke
David Wilke
Myron Behlen
John Rose
Jon Wilke

Honorary Casket Bearers
Justin Wilke
Dr. Trevor Wilke
Andrew Sunderman
Stephen Sunderman
Jordan Sunderman
Kelsey Sunderman

Interment
Christ Lutheran Cemetery
Rural Columbus, Nebraska