Ronald J. Wolken, 86, of West Point, died Thursday, January 1, 2026 at Oakland Heights.  Funeral Mass will be 10:30am on January 10 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point with Rev. James Weeder as celebrant.  Click this link to watch the live stream of the funeral. Burial with Military Honors will be at St. Michael’s Cemetery with lunch following at the Guardian Angels Central Catholic Cafeteria.  Visitation will be Friday from 5:00pm to 7:00pm with Knights of Columbus Rosary 7:00pm at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  Memorials may be made to Guardian Angels Central Catholic Endowments.

Ronald “Ron” Wolken was born on December 24, 1939, on the family farm outside of Scribner to Bernard and Ann (Dinslage) Wolken. Ron attended Guardian Angels School and graduated in 1958. Following high school, he proudly joined the Army Reserves and continued his education at Wayne State College. On June 15, 1963, Ron was united in marriage to Joan Harstick at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point.

Ron worked for Magnus Metal in Fremont for 22 years. During that time, the family lived in Fremont for 13 years before returning to West Point in 1978. Upon moving back, Ron and his brother Mel bought Hagedorn Motors, which they owned and operated together. Ron later worked at IBP, retiring in 2002.

Ron enjoyed gardening, fishing, and family camping trips. He loved sports including playing softball and coaching youth baseball teams for many years. A devoted family man, Ron rarely missed a game or activity involving his children or grandchildren and was a strong supporter of Catholic education. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and lived his faith through quiet service.

Ron is survived by his wife, Joan Wolken, and their children:

• Randy (Denise) Wolken of Syracuse, NY, – Annemarie, Christina, and Rebecca;
• Dan (Yun) Wolken of Sutherland –  Tia (Jeremy Fuhr) and their children Chas, Thatcher, Sybil, and Hazel; Ty (Hailey); Tasha, and Yang;
• Rhonda (Russ) Sellentin of North Bend – Amber (Dylan) Lingle and their children Isla and Ardin; Tiffany (Paul) Cox and their children Frankie and Archie; and Brett (Rosa) and their children Ismael, Aleyda, and Ava;
• David (Jodi) Wolken of Colorado Springs, CO;
• Ryan Wolken (Hilary) of West Point – Cooper, Logan, Avyn, and Grahm.

Ron is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Sydelle Wolken and Patty Wolken.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Ann Wolken; his stepfather, Sylvester Hilz; and his brothers, Delwin “Red” Wolken and Melvern Wolken.