Mildred Wanek

Mildred Minnie Emma Brand Wanek, 96, formerly of Lewiston, died April 5, 2015 at Lake Winona Manor.Mildred was born July 15, 1918, to August John Brand and Anna Julia Bublitz Brand in Hart Township, Winona County. The family moved to the Lewiston area where she attended St. John's parochial elementary school and Lewiston High School graduating in 1936. She married George Henry Wanek on July 21, 1938 in St. John's Lutheran Church where she had also been confirmed.She and George farmed briefly in the Dover area and then moved to the Utica are where they farmed for 10 years. They then bought a farm outside of Altura and farmed there until 1969 when their daughter and son-in-law bought it from them. While farming they worked side by side raising dairy cattle, but for a brief time also hogs and chickens. She also worked at Altura Rex Turkey Plant. She was a very hard worker doing field work and chores along with running a household and raising 4 children.They moved to Arcadia in 1970 where George worked at Ashley Furniture until 1976 when he died suddenly.Mildred built a home in Lewiston where she worked at Lake Center in Lewiston and North Star Foods in St. Charles. She also did volunteer work at the Lewiston Villa. Her hobbies were crocheting, quilting which members of her family still use and enjoy, and embroidery. She also enjoyed playing cards and dancing. She had a large garden until the last few years.She is survived by 4 children, Diana Streuber (Las Vegas, NV), Ronald (Joyce) Wanek, (Arcadia, WI and St. Petersburg, FL), Karen (A.Dale) Moger, (Altura, MN), and Gloria Smith, (Elk Grove, CA). Mildred has 14 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren and a sister-in-law, Betty Jane Bundy of Kaukauna, WI. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, infant brother (Elmer), her sisters Linda Frahm and Elna Krause, and brother Melvin Brand. Mildred will be buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Winona, MN.Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Saturday, April 11, 2015 at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church in Lewiston with the Reverend Michael A. Lindemann and Reverend Paul Kuckhahn officiating. Visitation will be 4 - 8 p .m., Friday at the church and one hour prior to the service. Mildred will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery. Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service - Lewiston is assisting the family.Please share a memory of Mildred and sign her online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com.
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