Carl Selken

Larchwood, Iowa               Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 23rd, 2016 at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood, with Father Bruce Lawler as celebrant.  Burial will follow at Larchwood Cemetery.        Visitation will be Thursday, September 22nd from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood.  There will also be a 7:00 p.m. Vigil service at the church Thursday evening.      Carl Edwin Selken was born August 21, 1933 in Lester, IA to Edward and Olga (Wulf) Selken. He received his education and graduated from Lester High School in 1951.  He was drafted into the United States Army in 1953 and was stationed in Alaska.  He was united in marriage to Mary Ann Ripperda at Sacred Heart Church in Alvord, IA on June 23, 1956.  The young couple started their marriage on a farm outside Larchwood.  They built their forever home across the street from St. Mary’s a few years later where they raised their 10 children.  Carl worked for Nash Finch in Sioux Falls for nearly 30 years and did several things after that, but his main jobs were working for the Larchwood Lumber Yard and as janitor for the church.  He was a very meticulous man and passed that on to his family through strong work ethic and attention to detail.  He was also quick witted and had a good sense of humor.  Carl enjoyed calling Bingo at the annual feather party in Larchwood and keeping up with several sports teams.  He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Larchwood American Legion.           Carl is survived by his children, Tim (Bonnie) Selken of Sioux City, IA, Julie (Dave) Moes of Sioux Falls, SD, son-in-law, Dan Johnson of Beresford, SD, Kay Billam of Sioux Falls, SD, Mike (Stacey) Selken of Sioux Falls, SD, Scott (Karen) Selken of North Platte, NE, Tom (Charlene) Selken of Fort Collins, CO, Susan (Jeremy) Jensen of Cherokee, IA, and Amy (Terrin) Haggerty of Sioux Falls, SD; 26 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; sister, Irene Taylor of Falls City, NE; sister-in-law, Madonna Plueger of Rock Valley, IA; brother-in-law, Dan (Karen) Ripperda of Sioux Falls, SD; sisters-in-law, Jamie Ripperda of Austin, TX and Marilyn Ripperda of Worthington, MN; and many other extended family members.           He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Olga Selken; his loving wife of 54 years, Mary Ann Selken; son, Dennis Selken; daughter, Patricia Johnson; daughter-in-law, Arlene Selken; brothers, Ralph Selken, Harley Selken, Wendell Selken; infant brother, Malcolm Selken; sisters, Ruby Walinga and Emily Winselman.