Arthur Wilde

Arthur "Art" Wilde, Loving Husband, Father, Papa and Brother Born March 10, 1934 in Chicago, Il and passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. Preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Eileen and daughter, Amy Hansmann, and wife of 61 years, Cecilia Wilde; children, Julie Jefferson (Kevin) Of Locust Grove, Ga, Andy (Susan) Wilde, Robert Wilde and Michael (Amy) Wilde; son-in-law, Doug Hansmann; 10 grandchildren, Jacob, Kimberly, Matthew, and Benjamin Hansmann, Sara and Michelle Wilde, Payton Wilde, Neila Max, Cota McLain, and Alexandra Jefferson; 5 great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Thomas (Joan) Kukla from Naperville, Il/Estero, FL and many special nieces, nephews and god-children.

Art entered the seminary at a very young age. After studying in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Ireland, he discerned the priesthood was not where God was calling him. He served in the Army National Guard, built a house for his parents, completed his education at DePaul University, and began his career as a chemist. In his years working for Diversey Corp, and 3M, he developed many products, personally hand crafted a transistor that was essential to John Glenn's famous space flight, and had several patents attributed to him.

With his loving wife Ceil they raised five children whom Art coached in football and soccer, and encouraged through each of their pursuits. He and Ceil served as discussion leaders for Confirmation groups within the Catholic Church, and he was enrolled as an extraordinary minister of holy communion; a role he took very seriously, during which he cherished the honor of bringing Jesus to communicants in church, his homebound parents, and even those in his assisted living facility (which otherwise may not have been possible for many to receive during the height of the COVID pandemic).

An avid birder, puzzler, biker, reader, and jokester, Art didn't always have a ton to say, but he was always genuinely interested in what each person in the family and beyond was working through, and he was quick to share his insight and sage wisdom.

He will be missed dearly. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 2, at St. Pius Church 3878 Highland Ave, White Bear Lake with visitation beginning at 10:00 am.

Anyone who would like to view the funeral but can't attend may do so by following the live-stream link here: https://www.churchofstpiusx.org/parish-live-stream