Daniel R. Wilkinson

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.

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