Karen S. Wilkens
1944 - 2017
Karen S. Wilkens
1944 - 2017
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1944
DIED
2017
Karen Wilkens Obituary
Upon moving to Florida in 1970, Karen worked as a speech therapist at W.T. Moore Elementary in Tallahassee. Renewing her interest in medicine, she was accepted into the Program In Medical Science at FSU. After one year, Karen transferred to the University of Florida in Gainesville to attend medical school. While raising three children, she successfully completed her training and graduated in the top 15% of her class. After receiving her Medical Degree, Karen moved back to Tallahassee and entered the Family Practice Residency Program at TMH. At this time, she began a distinguished, 34 year career as a family practice doctor. Karen was the first woman to be selected as the head resident of the program. Upon completion of residency, she opened a solo family practice and shared facilities with Dr. Randell Hartlage and Dr. Les Emhof.
Dr. Wilkens became very active in the Capital Medical Society. In 1993, she was elected as the first female president of the Capital Medical Society. She was also active in the Florida Medical Association at a time when the decision was made to move FMA headquarters from Jacksonville to Tallahassee. At the height of her practice, she had approximately 1400 patients. Her patients loved her bedside manner and the "hugs" they received from her after each visit. Her diagnostic skills were excellent and she saved many lives through early detection and referrals. On May 14, 2014, Dr. Wilkens had to close her practice due to illness.
In addition to her husband, Paul L. Wilkens, she is survived by her children, Chris Alexander, Mark Wilkens and Steve Wilkens; and grandson, Colbi Hopkins.
A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at 11AM on Wednesday, March 15th at the Killearn United Methodist Church.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Carol Armor
June 10, 2025
It´s eight years since Karen left us. She was my best friend. I think of her so very often. She was a wonderful person and we shared so many laughs! I miss her a lot.
Pamula Griffin
July 12, 2017
Dr. Karen Wilkens was my primary doctor until she closed her practice and my doctor for years. She has always went the extra miles for her patients. She was a very caring person and listen to her patients. She will be truly missed. RIP
Betty Dewar
March 22, 2017
I only knew Karen a short time and my job was to assist in her care.......while with Karen she expressed concern for my well being...she made me laugh and was glad that she could do so.....I could tell that she must have had a reassuring bedside manner with her patients. Thank-you Karen, for giving me that special time with you.
Minnie White
March 21, 2017
Dr Wilkens was a very good sweet doctor. And it was hard transitioning to another family doctor after the closing of her practice. She was one of the best, I have really missed her and will miss her even more now.
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S. Baity
March 21, 2017
Dr. Wilkens was my primary family doctor forever, until closing of her practice. Very compassionate and beautiful spirited lady, she was always going beyond the extra mile to make sure you received the best care. She often gave hugs, just to make your day special.
March 20, 2017
Very sweet and special lady. Always enjoyed seeing her and receiving a warm hug during every visit. She took care of me and my daughters and will always remember her sweetness and true love! Thanks for everything Karen. You will be missed. RIP. Kim Burkes
Debbie Hightower
March 19, 2017
I am so saddened to learn of Dr. Wilkens' passing, but at the same time I can rejoice, knowing that one day I will see her again in Heaven. Her life and characteristic smile reflected her love for Jesus. I have known Dr. Wilkens since the mid-1980's through my nursing career. Then in 2002 I encountered her on a personal level and became one of those many lives saved through her amazing diagnostic skills and early detection/referrals. Since that time I have told her (and many many others) that she was my "angel" from God. Dr. Wilkens will always have a special place in my heart. Praying for you, Mr. Wilkens, and your family, that you will feel God's loving arms around you and give you the comfort and peace which only He can provide during this most difficult time. /Debbie Hightower
March 17, 2017
Dr. Wilkens was my doctor and my husband's doctor for many years. She was truly gifted in diagnostics. In fact, she saved my husband's life. Seriously. I am forever grateful for her expertise. Dr. Wilkens will be truly missed. Our sincere condolences to the family. Roberta and Steve Trowbridge
March 17, 2017
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. -
Dr. Wilkens was the best doctor and my family has missed her since 2014. She has been a part of my family from generation to generation from my mother, myself, my daughters, We love and missed Dr. Wilkens, Rosa, Cyntheria, Shon & Tia
March 17, 2017
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Betty Serow
March 16, 2017
Karen was my doctor from the time she opened her practice until the time she closed it. She was also a friend, a cheerleader, an advisor and a very wise woman. She was competent while caring, calm but probing. A fine Doctor, an amazing human, a true gift to all who knew her. My condolences to you, her family. She is now getting her just rewards for all the good she did on earth. Rest in peace
Joyce Butler
March 16, 2017
Dr. Wilkens, was a wonderful and full of live doctor. She cared about her patients. She would spend as much time that was needed with the patient that she was taking care of at the time. Dr. Wilkens would take as much time talking and making sure that her patients questions were answered. She would make you feel as thought you was the only she would be taking care of at the time. Dr. Wilkens would not let you leave her office without making sure ever need was met. Sorry to hear of her passing. She will truly be missed as a doctor and friend. My thoughts and prayers are with the Wilkens family.
Tracey Clayton-Portis
March 16, 2017
Dr Wilkins was my doctor while living in Tallahassee and she my mother's doctor as well until her retirement. My mom always says how she missed going to see Dr Wilkins. I remember her being so kind and so patient. My condolences to the Wilkins Family. She was a beautiful and wonderful lady. My mother ,Marian Clayton, sends her condolences.
Jim Alford
March 15, 2017
Karen was a wonderful woman and physician. I am the grandson of Dr. James and Mary Alford and I had the privilege of spending time with Karen to learn about being a family doctor when I was in college. That experience has greatly influenced me to this day. I now practice Family Medicine in Michigan and strive to be as fondly thought of by my patients as Karen was by hers. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during these difficult times.
Toni Reed
March 15, 2017
Karen Wilkens was not just my doctor, but my friend, mother and god parent to my family, whenever, we went to see her who always greeted me with a big hug, compassion, understanding and the best of care. She is greatly missed, but will always be remembered (my daughter and her share the say birthday) and held in the highest of regard. My husband Clarence, twin son's Dante and Devonte, daughter Dyais would always say mommy, Dr. Wilkins eyes are just like shinning stars, they loved her so much and she did the same to them. When Clarence passed, Karen was there like he was her son and shared so much comfort, love and peace to me and kids. She will never be forgotten and will always be loved.
Dixon Chandler
March 15, 2017
Karen was my doctor from the mid 1990s until her retirement. I was fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of some of those hugs. What a thoughtful, caring lady. My condolences to her family.
L.M.
March 15, 2017
May I extend my sincere condolences to the Wilkens family as you mourn your loss. May the love for the "God of all comfort" make your hearts firm while you trust in him for support and strength as you endure your loss. (2 Thessalonians 2:16,17)
March 14, 2017
Hi Karen, Now your wonderful Spirit can fly free. Your job is done on this plane of consciousness. You did it so very well. Helped so many: family, patients, community, and even outside your community when you went to Haiti to help those in need there. Your intellect, kindness, and optimism showed up wherever you went. I am proud to be your cousin and enjoyed our recent years discussions and reconnections. Love Tom
Rebecca Hurlbut
March 14, 2017
Dr. Wilkins was our family's doctor for over 20 years. She always had a hug and a great smile. She was more than a doctor she was a friend. She always had time to talk and she had so much compassion. I would tease her that we had to be in the same nursing home when the time came so she could take of me. She helped our family thru difficult times and emotional journeys. She was one of God's angels here on earth. I was sad when she became I'll and had to close her practice. May God help the family thru this difficult time. She was a special lady.
Dianne Berryhill
March 14, 2017
Karen was such a wonderful physician to our family. I will always remember her cheerful smile and laugh. We will keep her and all of you in our prayers.
Don and Dianne Berryhill and Family
Linda Brown
March 14, 2017
I was privileged to work as an Office Nurse for Karen in the late 1990s. She was the most compassionate, passionate advocate for her patients that I have ever experienced. She was a great boss as well as a competent physician and I will never forget how much I learned from her--both about medicine and about people! I am so saddened to hear this news - as she was definitely taken before her time. Thank you Karen for your love and caring. Linda Brown
Carma Harvey
March 14, 2017
I am so sorry to hear about Dr. Wilkens. She was mine and my husband's family physician from the mid 80's until her retirement. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Dianne Speake
March 14, 2017
My sincere condolences to Karen's family. I was privileged to have Karen as my primary care physician for 25 years and am thankful for the excellent and compassionate care she provided to me. I looked forward to seeing her bright smile at every visit. She always took time to listen and was willing to incorporate my thoughts and ideas into my treatment plan.
Sabra Kummer
March 14, 2017
Loved having her for a doctor while living in Tallahassee...
Marlena and Randy Hopkins
March 14, 2017
Our sincere condolences to Paul and the entire family. Karen was a lovely caring person who could light up a room. May your cherished memories be of comfort and joy during this difficult time. Wishing you all peace.
Marlena and Randy Hopkins
March 14, 2017
Our sincere condolences to Paul and the entire family. Karen was a lovely caring person who could light up a room. May your cherished memories be of comfort and joy during this difficult time. Wishing you all peace.
Norene Hildebrandt
March 14, 2017
As Dr. Wilkens was my doctor for several years, I was the recipient of many of those hugs. She was a wonderful doctor and I miss her.
Sandra Lee
March 14, 2017
She and her husband treated me like part of the family when I came to Tallahassee as a student at FSU. That meant so much to me since I had never been away from home prior to coming to FSU. Although I left Tallahassee several years ago I have never forgotten the warmth, kindness and generosity she extended to me. Praying for the entire family during this time of deep loss. She was a wonderful person.
Barbara Wescott
March 13, 2017
Karen Wilkens was not just my doctor, but my friend I went to see who always (and I mean always) greeted me with a big hug, compassion, understanding and the best of care. She is missed, but will always be remembered and held in the highest of regard.
Dona Kerce
March 13, 2017
She was the most phenomenal woman and Dr. I loved seeing her because I always knew I'd get that hug and her undivided attention. There was no one more caring and she will be missed by so many. My sincerest condolences to her family.
Debbie Dixon
March 12, 2017
I worked for Dr. Wilkens for eight years and I can honestly say those were the best working years of my life. There was always laughter and such compassion. She treated me like a family member, not an employee. She was a wonderful woman and did great things in the medical community. My deepest sympathies to her family.
Janeen Langley
March 12, 2017
Dr. Wilkens was my primary care physician for over 25 years and I dearly loved her! She will be sorely missed by all those who knew her. My deepest sympathies to her family.
Paula and John Brennan
March 11, 2017
Our deepest sympathy to the Wilkens family, from two of the lives Dr. Wilkens saved. Soon after Dr. Wilkens opened her practice, I sought advice from FSU professors in the PIMS program as to who they recommended as my new doctor. The universal answer was that their best student, Karen Wilkens, would likely be the best doctor now. I called her practice, and I was informed that Dr. Wilkens did not want to be a doctor for women only, so unless my husband abandoned his perfectly good doctor to come with me, then I was out of luck. This was only the first example of the many times she bent us to her will. She was a small woman with a soft voice, but when she fixed her eyes on a patient, the patient would inevitably lean in to hear exactly what she was saying. You knew someone else had power over you when you woke up from elective surgery and wondered how you got talked into this, or when you came to in a gym and wondered how you dared to join a class you were woefully unprepared for. We never questioned her choice of specialists, because she was plugged in to the greater Tallahassee medical scene, and she knew which doctors shared her philosophy of caring and replicated her skill. We never asked for a second opinion, and we were always thrilled with her selections, from the early years when her mentors were involved, to the later years when her proteges were involved. Our gratitude also goes to Dr. Wilkens' family for sharing her with us. When my husband had a heart attack in 1994, Dr. Wilkens appeared in the hospital room like an angel in the pre-dawn hours. She was honest about the seriousness of the situation, but assured us that she had picked out just the right cardiologist for us. And she had. I am well aware that for that forever appreciated moment to occur, one or more members of the Wilkens family got woken in the middle of the night. I am sure there were many nights like that, and every one of them provided comfort to people like us. She will never be forgotten, and she will always be loved.
Kathryn Wilkens
March 10, 2017
Dear Uncle Paul and Cousins Mark and Steve - Please accept my deepest condolences. My mother made me aware of my aunt's accomplishments long ago and I have always been very proud of her: the obituary was clearly written with much love and similar pride. I regret not having met my aunt in my adulthood. Yet I sincerely appreciate the recent communications I've had with Uncle Paul, and particularly with son Chris Alexander and will miss him dearly. This week has been heart-wrenching. Love, Kathy Wilkens
Linda Wilkens
March 10, 2017
Dear brother Paul and children,
Our thoughts are with you in this time of grief. We send our sincerest condolences.
Linda and Aaron
Frances Story
March 10, 2017
She was my doctor for almost twenty five years. She always had time to spend with you with personal problems and just stories. I was so sorry to hear of her death. Will be praying for family and friends, she was a great doctor, God bless.
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1737 Riggins Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308
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