Wess A. Kilker

Wess Allen Kilker, age 55, of Shakopee MN, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 1, 2025.
Wess was born on December 31, 1969, in Worthington, MN, to Darrell and Wilma Kilker. He graduated from Fulda High School in 1988 and soon after enlisted in the United States Air Force. As a Staff Sergeant and crew chief, he traveled the world maintaining F-16 fighter jets with skill and dedication for nine-years of service. During this time, he became a proud father to his son, Nathan, and, while stationed in Spain, he welcomed his daughter, Tessa.
In 1998, Wess chose to pursue higher education to redirect his talents and passion toward computer programming. While at school, Wess met and fell deeply in love with his soulmate, Jane Anderson. When they married in 2000, Wess welcomed Jane's 7-year-old child Maia into his life as his second daughter. In 2003 their son Noah was born completing their family.
He dedicated more than 20 years of his career to Abbott Laboratories, where he served as a Senior IT Business Systems Analyst. Wess was known for his thoughtful problem-solving, quiet dedication, and the respect he earned from his colleagues. Wess was a lifelong learner and in 2023 proudly earned his Master of Science in Data Science from the University of St. Thomas.
Helping others was Wess's primary core value. His heart was kind and his love was deep. Everyone in his life knew they could count on him. If you had a project, he would be the first person to show up to help. If it was a computer issue, Wess was just a call away. If he heard - even in passing - of a home, car or logistical problem a family member or friend was experiencing, his eyes would perk and he would immediately spring quietly into action. He possessed a unique 'super-power' when it came to troubleshooting any kind of problem. He was soft-spoken and humble but left an enormous wake behind him as he always showed his love and commitment through deed. He will be remembered by many for a multitude of deeds, both large and small.
Wess was profoundly devoted to his family and loved to spend time with them above all else. He was an outstanding father to his four children and was deeply involved in their daily lives. He consistently provided a wonderful model of integrity, honorability, love, reliability, competence, and wisdom. He was the father we all wish we might have been blessed with. He was the most kind and considerate husband that Jane could have ever hoped to have. Their love for each other never wavered, they cherished each other through their entire marriage, they were each other's best friend, and their love grew only stronger year after year. They each believed that the other was instrumental in their own becoming a better person.
Wess is preceded in death by his parents, Wilma and Darrell Kilker and nephew, Adam Anderson.
He is survived by the love of his life Jane Anderson, children Nathan Kilker (Vina), Tessa Kilker-Ingerson (Tony), Maia Anderson (Lexi), and Noah Kilker. Siblings Darren Kilker (Karen), Wendy Fletcher, Darla Clark (Terry). He is also remembered by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and the extended Anderson family.
A Celebration of Life will be held on August 9th at McNearney-Schmidt Funeral Home in Shakopee. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am, followed by a service at noon. In keeping with Wess's wish to be remembered through the stories and memories of those who knew him, attendees will have the opportunity to share a memory during the service. If you prefer, written memories can be shared with the celebrant to be read aloud.