Donald Wiken

Donald Wiken, age 88, of rural Hanska, died at Mayo Health System-Mankato on Sunday, September 4, 2011. Donald Orve Wiken, 88, of Hanska, was born on April 27, 1923 to Ole and Annie (Hagen) Wiken at St James, MN. He was baptized confirmed at Albion Lutheran Church. As dad would say early morning is the best time of the day and that is exactly when he went to his Heavenly home on September 4, 2011. He is reunited with loved ones who have gone on before, especially his beloved granddaughter Heidi. He grew up on a farm by Godahl and was a life-time member of Albion Lutheran Church. He attended St James school and graduated in 1943. He played hockey at Godahl in his younger years and he and his brother would hurry to get chores done, walk across the field to the Godahl hockey rink and play. Donald also loved playing for the Godahl ball team and the Stark-La Salle ball team as pitcher. Donald married Irene Timm at West Sveadahl Lutheran Church on January 27, 1952. Whenever dad introduced mom, with a smile upon his face, he would proudly tell them that they had been married for 59 years and how good the years have been. They were blessed with two children - Cindy and Christine. Dad enjoyed being a farmer and living on the farm. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He lived by the motto his mother instilled in him that if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything. He was kind, gentle and soft hearted. He was on several boards in his life-time. He was on Albion Lutheran Church Council, Lake Hanska Township, Hanska Shipping Association, Godahl Store Board and the board of directors for the State Bank of La Salle. At one time he was on a bowling and a pool league. He enjoyed going for breakfast at Superfair with his coffee buddies. Going to Spider Lake was an annual/bi-annual trip since 1974 for the Wiken/Steven's families. This past July he made it up to Spider Lake fishing at his favorite fishing spot. He even caught fish, one was too big and one was a keeper. Donald is survived by his wife Irene, and his two daughters Cindy (Keith) Brekken and Christine (Michael) Nordby, grandchildren Jeremy (Ashley) Brekken, Jon Craig, Zachariah Nordby (Holly), Travis Brekken (Kelli) Chatrina (Sebastian) Huddleston, Michaela Nordby, great-grandchildren Sara and Barbara Craig, Alexis and Jorgen Brekken, sister Ina Sunstrom, sister-in-laws Eunice Wiken, Celeste (Irvin) Benge, brother-in-law Norbert (Diane) Timm and cousins and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Alwyn, brother-in-laws Gilbert and Gus and his granddaughter Heidi. As Barbara said, Now mom has someone to be with.