Clara Wilkens

Clara ?Colly? Wilkens, 85, Bismarck, died October 3, 2010, at Prairie View Nursing Home, Underwood. Services will be held at 10:00 am Monday, October 11, 2010, at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Bismarck. Burial will be in Sims Cemetery, Almont. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Clara was born September 26, 1925, in Almont, Curlew, ND, the daughter of Tollef and Tobine Olson Christianson. She was the ninth of ten children born to this union. She attended school in Almont and graduated from Center High School in 1943. Colly then attended and graduated from Dickinson State College with a Teaching Certificate, later in life she went back to school and graduated from University of Mary with a Bachelor of Science Degree. She taught many years in Carson, Elgin, Bismarck, and Fargo. She worked for and retired from Target in Bismarck in 1991. Colly worked as a teacher?s aide in Bismarck grade schools, and also taught English as a second language for some time. Colly loved working with the children and so enjoyed their accomplishments. She was a teacher through and through. Colly was a devoted mother and grandmother, generous and giving of her time and the love she shared as a mother, grandmother and sister. She was proud of her Norwegian heritage, and had that quick wit and humor. Her greatest pleasure and pride and joy was her grandson, Josh. She so loved spending time with him. Colly always remembered everyone?s birthdays and anniversaries; she had all the dates written in a book for all of her sisters and brothers families. She saved cards, pictures and announcements of all the family events, and was so proud of her entire family. She was a longstanding member of the VFW Auxiliary, was active in Volunteer Services and was an active member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Bismarck. She was always busy with something, and didn?t like to sit idle. She enjoyed music and playing her cord organ and plucking on an old guitar and auto harp. She knitted and crocheted several wonderful Afghans for family that will always be cherished. Colly especially enjoyed a good word puzzle. She always had little art and craft projects for rainy days for the family to do while at the lake house. Clara ?Colly? married Marvin ?MJ? Wilkens on September 20, 1944, at Miles City, MT. They had one daughter, Candice. Colly is survived by her daughter, Candice Seerup, Bismarck; one grandson, Josh Seerup, Salt Lake City, UT; her brother, Floyd Agnes Christianson, Almont; sister-in-law, Bonnie Dick Pestotnik, Boone, IA; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; two young siblings, Bernt and Selma; brother, Conrad Christianson; sisters, Ella Bradley, Selma Ostafin, Gertrude Thiel, Esther Klusmann, and Mabel Olin; and her former husband, Marvin.

Clara Wilkens

September 26, 1925 - October 3, 2010