Wayne Arnold Kilen, passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Fargo Veteran’s Medical Center, Fargo, ND at the age of 78.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, April 19, 2024 at the Evangelical Free Church in Newfolden, MN, with Pastor Gary Barrett officiating.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, with a 7:00 PM Prayer Service on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at Obit in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also take place one hour prior to the funeral service on Friday at the church.
Burial will follow at the Folden Cemetery, rural Newfolden, MN.
On October 18, 1945, Wayne Arnold Kilen was born to Alfred and Corrine (Haugen) Kilen in Thief River Falls, MN. He was raised on a farm near Gatzke, MN, and attended grade school in Gatzke and high school in Middle River, MN. As young teenagers, Wayne was married to his life partner, Shirley Chwialkowski in Bethesda Lutheran Church in Strandquist, MN.
In 1963, Wayne enlisted in the United States Navy, spending 22 years on active duty and 8 years in Fleet Reserve, retiring in 1993. During this time, the family lived in many places, including Mississippi, Tennessee, San Diego, CA, Florida, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Bremerton, WA, and North Chicago, IL. Upon leaving the Navy, Wayne and Shirley purchased a small piece of land near Holt, MN, where they established a home and have lived there since.
Since retiring from the Navy, Wayne has had several jobs and owned his Landscaping/Lawn Service business for 10 years. Wayne has spent the last 12 years supporting and advocating for other veterans as a County Veterans Service Officer and as the secretary of Middle River Veterans Outdoors Inc. His favorite pastime has been playing cards with family and camaraderie with other veterans. He was a member of the Fleet Reserve Association, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Wayne is survived by his loving wife, Shirley; sons, Scott (Darcie) Kilen and Jamie (Rachel) Kilen; grandchildren, Ashley (Dustin) Hettervig, Eric (Heather) Kilen; great-grandchildren, Chase and Colton, Abagale and Grace; siblings, Connie (Gene) Folden, and Joe Kilen; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Alfred and Corrine; step-father, Jerry; brothers, Donald and Roger; sisters, Marilyn and Edie; father and mother-in-law, Steve and Gladys; and his grandparents.