Henry Wulterkens

Hank Wulterkens, age 77, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday morning, March 2, 2010. Hank was born in Combined Locks on December 19, 1932, son of the late Henry and Gertrude (Gunsing) Wulterkens. On February 10, 1953, he married the former Carol Smits at Holy Name Catholic Church in Kimberly. For over forty years, Hank was employed by Appleton Papers Locks Mill in a variety of positions.

The village residents will remember Hank for his familiar face around town, as he served as a firefighter, Assistant Fire Chief, Village Trustee, and President of the Advancement Association. He was also active at St. Paul Catholic Church as an usher, lector, and Eucharistic minister. He and Carol enjoyed their time together traveling about the United States and Holland, and everyone will remember Hank as an excellent Trivial Pursuit player. He seldom turned down the opportunity to visit the casino!

Over the years, the family had cottages on the Wolf River near New London, as well as on Lake Poygan. There you could usually find Hank fishing, sitting near the fire, or tending his smoker. His family will always recall his ability to work with wood – he built the family home at the age of twenty-one, and over the years he made dozens of items which he happily shared with family and friends.

Hank is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years: Carol Wulterkens of Combined Locks; four children: Richard (Diane) Wulterkens of Stanley; Nancy Appleton of Neenah; Lori (Richard) Strick of Combined Locks; and John (Dawn) Wulterkens of Darboy. There are nine grandchildren: Samuel (Heather) Wulterkens, Stuart Wulterkens, Benjamin Wulterkens, Jacob (Tina) Appleton, Amber (Jacob Torres) Appleton, Adam Strick, Leanna Strick, Aubrey Wulterkens, and Marissa Wulterkens; five great-grandchildren: Bella and Gianna Wulterkens, Violet and Samantha Appleton, and Lennon Torres; the family is also eagerly awaiting the arrival of three more great-grandchildren. Hank is also survived by two sisters: Dorothy (John) Peeters of Shiocton and Leone Kuhns of Springfield, Missouri. Other survivors include Carol's family: Jane Romenesko of Little Chute, Joyce (James) Williams of Hilbert, Kenneth (Jan) Smits of Combined Locks, Florian (Grace) Smits of Winneconne, Phyllis Smits of Kimberly, and Elizabeth Smits of Combined Locks. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers-in-law Charles Kuhns, Eugene Romenesko, John Smits, Ronald Smits, and an infant Clarus Smits.

The Funeral Liturgy for Hank will be held at 5:00 PM on Friday, March 5, 2010 at ST. PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, 410 E. Wallace Street in Combined Locks with Fr. Jim Lucas and Fr. Bob Kollath officiating. Inurnment will be in the parish cemetery. Friends may call directly at the church on Friday afternoon from 3:00 PM until the hour of the service.

Jansen Fargo Funeral Home
204 E. Kimberly Avenue
Kimberly, WI 54136
920-788-6202