Scott Randall Wilkens, 62, of Sioux City, IA, entered into heaven on February 23, 2025.  Scott suffered renal failure ESRD for many years.

Celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 11:00 am, with visitation one hour prior at Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City, 4125 Orleans Ave. The celebration will be followed by a lunch from Little Chicago Deli.  We would love for you to wear any attire with Chicago Bears, Little Chicago Deli or Nebraska—all attire Scott loved.

Scott was born in Pender, NE, to Eldor and Dorothy Wilkens on September 14, 1962. He attended Rosalie Public School, Rosalie, NE. At the age of 10, the family moved to Sioux City where he graduated from Morningside Christian School in 1981 (he was Yearbook photographer all 4 years).

In 1985, he received his BA degree in Cinematography from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. He relocated to Chicago and worked with a large advertising agency as a cinematographer. After a year in Detroit, he returned to Sioux City and joined his brother Mark as a business partner at Little Chicago Deli.

The “Deli” began in 1985 in Sunkist Bakery in Morningside. On January 11, 1988, the brothers opened their first free-standing location on Hamilton Boulevard. As they grew, they expanded to several locations in South Sioux City, downtown Sioux City and Gordon Drive. Scottie loved working with the people at Little Chicago Deli and wanted to write his own sitcom from all the crazy times, great people and funny daily events that took place during work. He could tell stories with his infectious humor & wit which would have you rolling on the floor laughing—he was indeed the Master Jedi of humor.

In his off time, you could find him golfing, hunting, fishing and reading sci-fi books; and in later years, he loved creating recipes, antiquing and cooking. He had an extensive vocabulary that he loved to throw out in conversations to challenge the discussion and win the debate, and he loved hard rock music.  He was a diehard Chicago Bears football fan and on occasion you could catch him wearing a Nebraska shirt.  He had a passion for good food, and he loved to tease and make people laugh.

After leaving Little Chicago Deli, Scott continued to use his photography skills and worked as a wedding photographer, including working as a videographer for a movie script. He loved antiques and opened Finders Keepers Antiques with several friends. At the same time, he began helping Lisa at Kate’s in Sergeant Bluff with catering, wedding parties, valentine’s parties and bridal showers. Scottie especially loved making exotic desserts; and for a couple years, he and a partner purchased and managed the Bronson Bar, and he later developed recipes for the Half Moon Bar.

He was passionate about good food. Scott’s journey on this earth was one marked by compassion, generosity and an unwavering faith in God. His passing has left a void in the hearts of his family, friends and many more whose lives were touched by his contagious laugh, unrelentless humor, kindness, and friendship.  He had a rare gift for making others smile and laugh, and he has left a lasting impact on all who crossed his path and will live in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his longtime, friend Lisa Topf; his brother Mark (Mary) Wilkens of Sioux City; his niece Tricia (Steven) Kilgore of Sugar Hill, GA, along with their children Jack and Charlotte; his nephew Derek Wilkens of Sioux City; his uncle Gerald (Joan) Busselman of Gretna, NE his cat Snickers, and many beloved friends that he called family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and Aunt Aletha (John) Berry of Texas.

We would like to thank Dr. Ashar Luqman and the numerous doctors and nurses who assisted in Scott’s treatment through the years:  Vascular & Interventional Specialists, Fresenius Dialysis Center, University of Nebraska Cardiovascular Team, University of Nebraska Kidney Transplant Team, and the Sanford Transplant Center in Sioux Falls, SD.