W. Michael "Mike" Biklen

W. Michael (Mike) Biklen, age 83, died November 17, 2025, at UnityPoint Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, IA. A memorial service will be held at 11am, Saturday, November 22, 2025 at Immanuel United Methodist Church, Des Moines, IA. Visitation will begin at 10 am, Saturday (prior to the service) at the church.

Mike was born March 9, 1942, while his family lived in Fort Madison, IA. He graduated from high school in Harrisonburg, VA. He attended Iowa State University, graduating with a degree in electrical engineering and received a Master's of Divinity from St. Paul's School of Theology in Kansas City, MO.

Mike married, Marcia Cowles, on November 29, 1968, in St. Joseph, MO. He served as a United Methodist Pastor in the state of Iowa from 1969, until he retired in 2007. After his retirement, he and his wife, Marcia lived in Muscatine, IA until 2023 when they moved to the Beaverdale area in Des Moines to be closer to family. In his retirement, he remained active in the Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church. His passion for the church revolved around issues of social justice and he was an active member of the Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA). He enjoyed singing, photography, camping, biking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Surviving Mike are his wife, Marcia (Cowles) Biklen; his son, Bryce (Pam) Biklen; his son-in-law, David Hanson; his grandchildren, Zachary Biklen, Molly Biklen, and Noah Hanson; his siblings, David (Blanche Capilos) Biklen, Mary Ann (David Wells) Biklen, Tom (Lisa) Biklen. He was preceded in death by daughter, Andrea Biklen (2018) and his parents, Nancy Riegel-Blake and Wayne Milo Biklen.

Donations can be made to MFSA or Immanuel United Methodist Church. Thanks to the wonderful doctors and staff at Iowa Methodist Hospital North 6, who took wonderful care of Mike and his family during his hospitalization and death.

The service will be livestreamed. There will be a link Saturday morning on the church's website at https://www.immanueldsm.org/.

Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com.

Arrangements by Iles Westover Chapel.