Daniel R. Wilkinson
May 30, 1938 — April 27, 2025
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Service Details
Daniel Ralph Wilkinson passed from this life on April 27, 2025. He was surrounded by loved ones in his final days.
Dan was born on May 30, 1938, in Temple Hill, Kentucky to Eloise and Ralph Wilkinson. He worked hard with his father on their dairy farm as a boy. He graduated from Temple Hill High School with athletic, civic and academic honors. He went on to graduate from Western Kentucky University with a degree in Agriculture. He then married his sweetheart Gretta Davidson in 1961, and they moved to South Carolina where Dan earned his Master’s Degree in Agronomy from Clemson University. They then moved to Champaign-Urbana where he completed his education with a PhD in Plant Pathology and Genetics from the University of Illinois.
Dan worked for Pioneer Hi-Bred International in Johnston, IA for his entire 37-year career. He travelled around the world speaking, consulting and researching corn disease. While he enjoyed the travel, he was happiest in the corn fields and his backyard garden.
Dan was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Eloise, and his younger sister Mary.
Dan is survived by his loving wife, Gretta; their two daughters, Melissa Carlson and Susan (Adam) Whitney; and his sister, Ruth Harrison. He was a loving and devoted grandfather to Wesley, Madelyn, and Julia Carlson, and Shane and Leah Whitney.
Dan was dedicated to his family and his community. He was actively involved with Windsor United Methodist church and enjoyed watching his daughters’ activities, especially track. He attended many sporting events and performances of his grandchildren and was immensely proud of their talents.
Dan will be remembered for his kindness and compassion. He was always generous with his time and resources. He loved to tell stories and get to know people.
Special thanks to the staff at Brio, especially the nurses in Elan for their kindness and compassion during these last weeks. Special thanks to grandson Wes for his extra care in the recent months. And thanks to the staff at Methodist Hospital for their grace in his last hours.
Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 21, 2025 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. Family will greet friends following the service until 1:00 p.m.
Memorials can be made to Windsor United Methodist Church, the Alzheimer’s Association or Wesley Life Hospice Services.
Paul
05/14/2025
Dan was such a solid, helpful, kind person...this was especially appreciated as I found my way around the organization learning who would be trusted experts to rely on during my early days at Pioneer. The Pioneer culture and history was built on people like Dan Wilkinson.
Bob Peitzman
05/04/2025
Gretta & family,
Brenda and I are so sorry to hear that Dan died. Dan was such a gentle and kind man and I know he will be greatly missed by his family and friends. We send our love and condolences from Texas.
Dixie Juve
05/02/2025
Gretta and Family,
Dan was such a joy to work with and an all around good guy. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. I have such fond memories of your entire family. Sincere condolences to all.
Gene and Elaine Lesch
05/01/2025
Our sympathy and prayers to you all we really enjoyed knowing your family through the years. Dan was a nice guy, always smiling and friendly. Love, Gene and Elaine
Carol Heard
04/30/2025
Dan Wilkinson was just about the kindest, gentlest man I ever met. We were next door neighbors on Merle Hay and saw the family a lot in the late 1960s.
Dan helped me get a job one summer, working in the corn fields with a group of other teens. I’ll never forget the day he pulled us all out of the field— to watch the first moon landing! I think he must have arranged to have a tv brought into the work space.
Dan was a big fan of eating food fresh from the garden and I’ll remember the twinkle in his eye and his quiet, deep laugh as he enjoyed a joke and a piece of pie.