Sidney C. Wilke

Sidney "Sid" Charles Wilke, 81, of Fort Lupton, CO, passed away on Sunday, February 25, 2024, at his home after a prolonged battle with Parkinson's. Sid was born on May 19, 1942, in Columbus, Nebraska to Arthur and Georgia (Frese) Wilke. He grew up on the family farm outside of Columbus with a large, loving family, that included 11 siblings. He attended Christ Lutheran School in rural Platte County through the eighth grade. After attending high school for two years in Leigh, he attended and graduated from Columbus High School. Sid served in the Army Reserves after graduating high school and attended Colorado State Teacher's College (now the University of Northern Colorado) in Greeley, where he attained a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. During college, Sid worked at what was then Ranch Wholesale Supply in Greeley, which later became Big R of Greeley. His employer, Duane Francis, became his mentor and life-long friend. Sid later became the majority owner, President and General Manager of Big R Manufacturing and Distributing in Greeley. Under his leadership, the company grew into a leading regional manufacturer of corrugated steel pipe and a fabricator of steel bridges with over a hundred employees. He was eventually joined in the business by his brother David Wilke and his friend Tom Selders. Sid also served as a Director and President of the National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association. In 1967, Sid met the love of his life, Martha "Martie" Nell Hasting (Doughty), in Greeley. Martha had four children from her previous marriage, Carl Hasting, Linda Hasting, Mark Hasting and Donald Hasting. Sid and Martie were married on September 28, 1968. They adopted Kreston Wilke in 1972. They also raised two of their grandchildren, Dillon Hasting and Sydney Hasting, as their own. After selling his ownership in Big 'R' Manufacturing in 2001, Sid and Martie built Fort Lupton Hardware, an Ace Hardware franchise. They moved from Eaton to Fort Lupton after the store opened in 2004. Their daughter, Linda Hasting, later acquired a minority ownership interest in the business. Sid obtained his pilot's license and developed a passion for flying. He also loved gardening, hunting, fishing, and anything to do with the great outdoors, and was a voracious reader. His greatest passion was spending quality time with his large family. Sid was preceded in death by: His step-son, Donald Lee Hasting, Greeley, CO His parents, Arthur and Georgia Wilke, Columbus, NE His father-in-law and mother-in-law, CR and Betty Doughty, Greeley, CO His brother, Martin (Carol) Wilke, Boise, ID His sister, Gloria Wilke Miller (Rick Loock), Lincoln, NE His brother-in-law, Van Doughty, Greeley, CO His sister-in-law, Pauline Kerksiek, Wiggins, CO His sister-in-law, Leona Dupont, Alpharetta, GA His sister-in-law, Patricia Headley, Greeley, CO In addition to 14 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, Sid is survived by: His wife, Martha Nell Wilke, Fort Lupton, CO His step-son, Carl Dean Hasting (Julie), Agoura Hills, CA His step-daughter, Linda Kay Hasting, Fort Lupton, CO His step-son Mark Eugene Hasting, Greeley, CO His adopted son, Kreston Sid Wilke, Greeley, CO His grandson, Dillon Thomas Hasting, Fort Lupton, CO His granddaughter, Sydney Dawn Wilke, Sterling, CO His brother-in-law, Kenneth (Susan) Doughty, Denver, CO His sister, Audrey (Ernest) Sayers, Clarkson, NE His brother, Philip (Leslie) Wilke, Moreno Valley, CA His brother, David (Jean) Wilke, Granby, CO His brother, Quentin (Marcille) Wilke, Garden City, KS His brother, Clark (Kathy) Wilke, Osmond, NE His brother, Colin (Janet) Wilke, Kearney, NE His brother, John (Robyn) Wilke, Rotorura, New Zealand His brother, Andrew (Donna) Wilke, Lincoln, NE His brother, Luke (Deborah) Wilke of Rochester, MN. A memorial service honoring Sid's life will be held on March 9, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church in Greeley. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Denver Hospice, either online at thedenverhospice.org or mailed to 8289 E. Lowry Blvd., Denver, CO 80230. Join the Zoom Service using the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9703301877?pwd=ZG1kcndub2l1c3VQci9kbTZBd2RQQT09

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Sidney C. Wilke

May 19, 1942 - February 25, 2024