Ivan Wikner
March 14, 2021
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Service Details
Ivan A. Wikner, 90, of Johnston, Iowa, died on Sunday, March 14, 2021, at Pine Acres, West Des Moines, Iowa, after a brief illness surrounded by his family. The family will hold services at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens on Friday, March 19, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be held at the Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery, where Ivan spent many hours developing Flower Gardens and Landscaping. He also served as President of the Board of Directors.
Ivan Arnold Wikner, son of Ralph Otto Wikner and Elsie Marie Petersen Wikner, was born on February 16, 1931, in Pipestone, Minnesota. He graduated from Tripoli High School in 1948. He attended Iowa State College where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Education in 1952. Ivan received a Master’s Degree from Iowa State University in Agronomy in 1959.
While at Iowa State, Ivan was in ROTC and “Advanced Rotsee,” which let him in the United States Air Force as a Second Lieutenant. Ivan was stationed in San Antonio, Texas, at Lackland Air Force Base 1952 to 1954. His tenure with the US Air Force was from 1954 to 1974, he was the Academy Liason Officer for the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He attained rank as Lieutenant Colonel.
On September 14, 1950, he married Genevieve Kathleen DeKock in Sully, Iowa. They moved to Black Hawk County in 1954 where Ivan was the Extension Youth Assistant. 1955, Ivan was the County Extension Director for Butler County. 1959, Ivan was the Extension Agronomist and Assistant Manager in Marengo, Iowa. He moved to Johnston, Iowa, in 1965, as Pioneer’s Agronomist in Central Iowa. 1968, he was the Agronomy Service Manager for Central Division for IA, MN, and SD. In 1986, Ivan was the Agronomy Service Support Leader for Marketing West Region. He was the Agronomy Service Support Manager for US and Canada 1998. In 1993, Ivan retired with 30 years of service with Pioneer Hi-Bred International. From 1993-2006, Ivan was an Independent Crop Consultant with Grinnell Mutual Insurance Company. The Farmers called him the “Corn Doctor,” which was on his vehicle license plate.
Ivan would say his greatest pleasure and source of pride was his family. He will be greatly missed by his loving wife Genevieve; daughters, Susan (Kevin Pritchard) Palm Coast, FL and Sandra (Russ Kruse) Alta, IA; son, Steven (Marilyn Barnes) Kenosha, WI; five grandchildren: Erin (Dan Ryan), Traci (Matt Beerbower), Trista (Mark Mikkelson), Tiffany (Tyler Kruid), and Rafael (Tina Carrasquillo) and seven great-grandchildren: Cooper, Max, Eastyn, Lily, Collins, Cora and Jack; brothers, Vernon of New Hampton, IA and Mark (Sydney) of Cedar Falls, IA; sister, Marianne of Coon Rapids, MN; along with many nieces and nephews. Ivan was preceded in death by his son, Scott Wikner; his parents; sisters, Gladys and Helen; brothers, James, John, and Ralph; nephews, Vance and Brad; and his niece, Lynette.
Mr. Wikner was an active member of Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines. He was a member and volunteer for Compassionate Friends, was active in Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, and belonged to the Gridiron Club. Ivan received the Iowa Auxiliary/Voluntary Shining Stars for 19 years and over 5,000 hours of service where he coordinated volunteer schedules for the Cath Lab at IMMC, the Guild Treasure, Mail delivery, and Hospitality from 1994 to current. He volunteered with Living History Farms, Men’s Garden Club, and was part of the Master Gardener Program.
Ivan was an avid fan and season ticket holder of the Iowa State Cyclones and would travel to away games and Bowl games to cheer them on. He was a member of the ISU Alumni Association. He enjoyed fishing, camping and hunting with his family, and the friendships he made with the farmers he worked with through the years.
In loving memory of Ivan, memorial gifts are suggested to one of the following organizations: Animal Rescue League, 5452 NE 22nd St., Des Moines, IA 50313; Blank Children’s Hospital, 1200 Pleasant St., Des Moines, IA 50309; or Iowa State University Foundation, 2505 University Blvd, Ames, IA 50010.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Rotary Club of Johnston
03/25/2021
On behalf of the entire membership of the Rotary Club of Johnston, our deepest sympathy and condolences to Genevieve and the entire family that is grieving their loss. We too are saddened to hear of the loss of our friend and past member, Ivan Wikner. Ivan was a member of the Northwest Rotary Club for years prior to becoming a founding member of the new Rotary Club of Johnson in 1999. Ivan was a 2 times Paul Harris Fellow and Genevieve was also a Paul Harris Fellow. Both were so supportive of the efforts by Rotary to Eradicate Polio worldwide and to make our world a better place. Just this past year Ivan presented our club with a centennial plate that he had received from Rotary, which our club has displayed during our weekly membership meetings. In tribute to Ivan and for his years of support of Rotary, the Rotary Club of Johnston will be contributing to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa in memorial of Ivan Wikner for all that he has meant to his family, friends and to Rotary.
Ivan Brehmeri
03/21/2021
My condolences to the Wikner family. I was fortunate to have spent several enlightening years working with Ivan researching various aspects of agronomy. I will remember his expertise in agronomy and ability to work with people. Of course in those days, there was the super charged variety plot at the Iowa State Fair every year. Ivan definitely touched a lot of people. May he rest in peace.
Janelle & Rick Strand
03/19/2021
We were so saddened to hear about Ivan's passing. We are thinking of your entire family during this difficult time and will greatly miss Ivan.
Jean Blume
03/19/2021
Wish. I could deliver my sympathy for your loss in person today at the visitation, but I will be writing you, Genevieve. Good to recognize a couple Pioneers in the condolences. Ivan is probably tending the Garden in heaven already
Lynn Hultquist Graf
03/19/2021
Our deepest sympathy to the Wikner family. May you know that our thoughts and prayers will be with your family now and in the days to come.
Jeff Olson
03/19/2021
Dear Wikners, we are sad to hear of Ivan's passing and wish to be there with you to share your grief. These times do not allow us to honor the dead as in person as much as the past. Sharing those good memories of fishing, camping trips, and reunions with the Swedesburg group with you would be nice. So many lives touched and connections made from extension to Pioneer and beyond. I remember him so dedicated that with our first 3 point chisel plow in 1968, critical, he had to ride on top of the cab of the tractor, in motion, to snap pictures of the plow in action. He survived, we were all blessed to know Ivan.
Steve Florer
03/18/2021
My deepest sympathies to the Wikner family during this tremendous loss.
I first met Ivan as a green horn sales rep for Pioneer in 1975.
He was a huge influence on how to be a true professional in any situation that arose. His vast knowledge and how he presented it was always appreciated. He was the consummate professional and role model, both in business and in life.
Several years later, by coincidence, the Wikners and my wife and I ended up joining Lutheran Church of Hope. I enjoyed seeing Ivan after worship and catching up. He would always have something positive to say and wish us well.
Im sure he will be welcomed with open arms into heaven and will be greatly missed by all who knew him here on earth. My he Rest In Peace.
Paul Carter
03/18/2021
Among his other strong attributes, Ivan had such a knack for finding and hiring good long term Pioneer agronomists.
Ivan has been retired from Pioneer almost 30 years and one of his hires is the current US Pioneer Agronomy leader.
It was a pleasure to overlap with him at Pioneer for a few months and to stay in touch from time to time over the past 28 years.
At the 2012 Pioneer Agronomy Conference, Ivan spoke at the 50 year anniversary of Pioneer agronomy and the agronomists enjoyed the history he shared and his still-relevant insights so much.
Tony, Stacy and Madison Wikner
03/18/2021
We grew up in Urbandale less than 5 miles from Johnston so we got together with Uncle Ivan and family alot as kids. So much fun playing with Sue, Steve, Sandra and Scott.
We moved to Florida in 1969 and didn't get to see them much anymore. Ivan was last in Florida in 2019 to see Iowa State in the Camping World Bowl in Orlando. We love Uncle Ivan and all his family. Prayers of peace and comfort to all.
Clyde Tiffany
03/18/2021
Dear Wikner family and friends, I was saddened to hear of Ivan's passing. I was fortunate to have been part of his team of Pioneer agronomists when he took a chance on a young guy coming out of ISU 38 years ago. He was extremely devoted to Pioneer and upheld very high standards for us to follow. He taught us to be professionals with integrity by his modeling. My deepest condolences to you all.
Morry and Sandy Hansen
03/18/2021
We were sadden to hear of his illness and passing but now it is cherishing memories. Throughout our fifty-one years as neighbors, a joy it was to enjoy time together, neighborly chats, and everything he did for his neighbors. Ivan is going to be dearly missed. Our prayers and condolences to the Ivan Wikner family.
Stacy Riley
03/18/2021
My deepest sympathy and condolences to Steve, Marilyn and the entire family. Thoughts and prayers with each of you.
Greg Townsend
03/18/2021
Brigid and I send our deepest condolences to the Wikner family. We are saddened to hear of his passing. To this day I owe Ivan gratitude for bringing me to Pioneer and be part of a group of agronomists that were far ahead of our competitors. It was his vision, putting our customers and sales reps infront. RIP Ivan
Lindell Hansen
03/17/2021
Ivan was a good man that consistently worked with customers and employees to succeed.
Michael Sato
03/17/2021
On my first trip to Iowa I had the honor of riding with Ivan. He was always a very professional person and you never had to wonder what he thought! He was definitely one of the good guys!