Kimberlee “Kim” Kay Wilken, 61, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, December 1, 2024, at Heritage Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Cedar Rapids. In agreement with her wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Kim’s life will be held next Spring, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion, Iowa, where the family will greet friends from 9:30 a.m. until the service. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Glendale Masonic Cemetery in Des Moines, Iowa.
Kim was born on July 22, 1963, in Newport News, Virginia, the daughter of Adrian John and Janet Darlene (Lutz) Wilken. She was a 1981 graduate of Linn-Mar High School, where she was active in cheerleading, pom-pom, and gymnastics. She worked at various retail stores prior to working for Alliant Energy. Kim tried out for the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and was a finalist for Iowa and even traveled to Dallas, Texas, to become an Alternate. Kim loved all animals, especially cats. She was proud to be a “Cat-mama” to all her “Cat-children”. She also had a passion for horseback riding and loved being outdoors and spending time with family. Kim loved babysitting her nieces and nephews and was very proud of each and every one of them. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Kim is survived and lovingly remembered by her mother, Janet Henderson of Marion; three siblings, Rick (Paula) Wilken of Allen, Texas, Pamela (Frank) Mueller of Lowden, Iowa, and Tamara (Mark) Rowell of Cedar Rapids; two sisters-in-law, Vicki Wilken of Hiram, Georgia, and Jennifer Wilken of West Des Moines, Iowa; 13 nieces and nephews; 17 great-nieces and nephews; and a host of extended family, including cousins.
She was preceded in death by her father, Adrian Wilken; two brothers, Randall Wilken and Robert Wilken; and stepfather, James “Jim” Henderson.
Memorials in Kim’s memory may be directed to the Cedar Valley Humane Society or a favorite charity of the donor’s choice.
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