Andy Wilkens

Harold Andrew ""Andy"" Wilkens, 49, of Denver passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at his home. Born on September 21, 1968 in Petoskey, Michigan, he is the son of Lolita ""Lea"" M. Spanos and the late Elmer L. Wilkens, who passed away in 1971. In 1972, his mother, Lolita, married George D. Spanos, the man who was the only father that Andy knew. Andy's accomplishments brought much joy and pride to George and Lea, and to his entire family.

In high school, Andy followed one of his older brothers, John Hudson, in joining the wrestling team, one of the best in Michigan in those days. He also participated in track and cross country. When Andy tried cross country skiing, he found his athletic calling, winning the first-ever Michigan High School Nordic Skiing Championship in 1987 as a junior, and successfully defending his title his senior year-and earning a spot on the U.S. Junior Olympic Team-despite suffering a near-complete sever of an Achilles tendon in a roller ski training accident in June of 1987.

Following high school, Andy was offered a cross country skiing scholarship at Northern Michigan University, where he excelled under the coaching of Sten Fjelheim, eventually being selected as Team Captain. While at NMU, Andy also competed in cross country on his way to earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science & Institutional Food Service Operations in 1991. He had begun learning the food service trade in high school, and worked in the kitchens of renowned northern Michigan restaurants. Andy's work as a chef even took his to Alaska one summer, running the kitchen of a fly-in fishing lodge on Kodiak Island.

Andy trained as a medic in the Army, but his true military home was the Colorado National Guard, where he served as a Supply and Logistics Specialist for some 24 years, rising to the rank of Sargeant. When not on duty with the National Guard, from 2002 to 2015, Andy worked as a Supervisory Transportation Security Officer in Denver. Always the competitor, Andy was a member of–and beginning in 2010 a coach for–the Colorado National Guard Biathlon Team.

In 2013, Andy's National Guard unit was called to serve in Afghanistan as part of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, service for which Andy was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the military decoration of which he was most proud out of all his honors. Andy loved the Colorado National Guard, he loved his comrades and teammates, he loved to serve, and he loved our country.

Andy was proud to hail from beautiful northern Michigan, but fell in love with Colorado. He enjoyed the outdoors, hiking, the mountains. Most of all, Andy loved people, and was quick to make friends wherever he went, including in the many countries he visited for Biathlon and Nordic competition. He loved to spend time with family and friends-especially cooking for them–and would gladly choose good conversation with those he loved to watching anything on television. Those who knew him will remember him best for his humor and laughter. In the company of his brothers, Dan and John, he would make people laugh so hard their abs were sore the next day. That humor is part of what made him terrific at what he loved most of all: being a father. He dearly loved his kids; they brought out the big kid in Andy and he so enjoyed playing with them and bringing them his special gifts of laughter and joy.

In addition to his mother, Lolita M. Spanos of Petoskey, Michigan, he is survived by his two children, Leila and Alexander with his former wife, Kristin Kidd, two brothers, Daniel H. Hudson of Andover, New Hampshire, and Dr. John Hudson of Houston, Texas, and sisters Patricia Wilkens of Cincinnati, Ohio and Elizabeth Price of Greenville, South Carolina.

He is preceded in death by his father, Elmer L. Wilkens of Petoskey, Michigan, his stepfather, George D. Spanos, J.D., of Petoskey, Michigan, and a sister, Betty Jane Christianson of Austin, Minnesota.

Graveside Service: September 21, 2018 9:15 am

Fort Logan National Cemetery
3698 South Sheridan Boulevard
Denver, CO 80236
(303) 761-0117
https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/ftlogan.asp

Memorial Service: September 21, 2018 11:00 am

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
9200 W 10th Ave
Lakewood, CO 80215
(303) 233-4991

Celebration of Life: September 21, 2018 3:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Addenbroke Park - Shelters 1&2
600 South Kipling Pkwy
Lakewood, CO 80226