John Wanke, of Milan,died Friday, August 25, 2017 at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, MN at the age of 89.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 1, 2017 at 11:00 AM at Kviteseid Lutheran Church in Milan. Rev. Kristine Isder will officiate and interment will be at Kviteseid Lutheran - Milan Methodist Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5-7:00 PM at Kviteseid Lutheran Church with a prayer service at 6:30 PM. There will also be visitation at the church for one hour before the service on Friday.
Arrangements are with Anderson - TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo.
John Julius Wanke was born in Kragero Township, Chippewa County, on May 28, 1928 to Emil and Katie (Joyce) Wanke and grew up east of Milan. He was baptized on May 27, 1931 at Kviteseid Lutheran Church, and was confirmed in 1943 at Kviteseid as well. John attended school through the eighth grade, and was drafted into the US Army in September of 1950. John then served as a Corporal during the Korean War. During his service, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Larson on February 14, 1951 in Lawton, OK, Comanche County. Following his discharge from the Army in September of 1952, John and Elizabeth moved to Montevideo.
While in Montevideo, John worked for ADM Terminal until 1960. He then purchased Milan Grain and Supply until it was sold to Farmers Elevator. John was the manager at Farmers Elevator for 16 years, and retired at the age of 62.
John was a member of Kviteseid Lutheran Church where he was a Sunday school teacher, trustee, and a deacon. He enjoyed spending time with his family, making Bentwood Boxes, wood carving, lapidary work, gardening, planting trees, and loved growing apples. John led a life well-lived, and will be dearly missed.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; children: Kevin (Laurel) Wanke of Pelican Rapids, MN, Becky Erickson of Spicer, MN, and Kerry (Vicki) Wanke of Granite Falls, MN; sister-in-law, Phyllis Wanke of Clinton, MN; four grandchildren: Chris Wanke, Ryan (Kari) Wanke, Josh Erickson, and Jenna Erickson; six great-grandchildren: Brynn Wanke, Elin Wanke, Mia Wanke, Jordan Harris, Tyler Harris, and Emily Harris; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Gaylord, Gail, James, and Tom; sisters: Hazel Snelling, Katherine Angrimson, Dorothy Breum, Gladys Anderson, and Clarice Wanke in infancy; and great-grandson, Brandon Harris.