ERIE — Wendell A, Wolken 60, of Erie, went to go be with his Lord and Savior on Feb. 20, 2026. Wendell was born Nov. 4, 1965 in Chanute, to Harmon and Francis Wolken.
He was raised mainly in Buffalo, Kansas later moving to Erie Kansas. He attended Erie schools until the ninth grade where he then went to work for Beachner Bridge Crew.
He married Shannon Rogers in 1992 and they had four children Heather , Hayley, Bradley and Bruce Wolken. they later divorced in 1998. He was remarried to Kristie Alexander in 2003. They had a set of twin boys, Austin and Andrew Wolken, and later they divorced in 2010.
He was proceeded to death by one adopted son Levi Rogers one grandson Landis Wolken, two sisters, Penny Sexton and Karen Showalter three brothers Bruce, Dan and Harmon Wolken and his parents, Harmon and Francis Wolken .
Wendell lived his days in Erie and had lots of family and friends surrounding him. He enjoyed gardening and could grow some of the best tomatoes. Dad also enjoyed shooting pool hanging out with his friends playing cards and dominoes. Dad had a love for many things, including his Harley cutting loose on the highway as well as his old international trucks. Dad found a new profound love in a sport he had never done before which was golf. He made lots of friends along the way and introduced them all to barefoot golf. He liked to help as a cattle hand up until the time he was unable to work anymore.
He is survived by his six children: Heather Wolken of Erie, Hayley Wolken of Parsons, Bradley Wolken of Osewego, Bruce Wolken of Altamont, Austin and Courtney Wolken of Senca, Missouri, and Andrew Wolken of Grove, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, David P. Hughes and Milez Gamblian of Erie, Divine Cole of Parsons, and Weston, Houston and Legacy Wolken of Altamont; and four siblings Dale and Donna Wolken of Erie, Mike and Kim Russell of Altoona, Brenda Welch of Erie, and Kevin and Vicki Wolken of Conway Springs.
Wendell found out he had bile duct and liver cancer on Sept. 15, 2025. He fought the battle hard and long and finally made peace with it on Feb. 20, where he was surrounded with his family and Otto, his dog.
A celebration of life for Wendell was held at Tony’s Function Junction on Thursday, Feb. 26, at 3 p.m. Following the service, a graveside ceremony at East Hill cemetery was held, where some of his ashes was put to rest with his family, followed by a dinner with family and friends at Tony’s Junction Function.
