Thomas Clarence Wanke Sr. was born in Montevideo, Minnesota on February 7, 1932, the son of Emil G. and Katherine (Joyce) Wanke. He was baptized on April 7, 1932 at Kviteseid Lutheran Church in Milan. Tom confirmed his faith in the Lutheran Church on May 26, 1946, also at Kviteseid Lutheran Church in Milan. He attended Milan High School where he graduated in 1952. Tom was united in marriage to Darlene Schreck on March 27, 1971. He and Darlene were blessed with 24 years of marriage before her passing in September of 1995. Tom retired from the Milan Farmers Elevator in 1994, where he had worked over 30 years. Many of these years he was the feed manager for the elevator. Outside of work, he loved to fish, to listen to music, and to sing. Tom is listed in "The Diary of Milan" as winning a talent contest for his singing.Tom enjoyed spending time with his sons. He especially enjoyed sharing his love of fishing and his love of music with them. Listening to music with Tom would eventually turn into a competition of "Name that Artist." Tom loved to play Yahtzee, and he usually won. He also found great joy in spending time with his grandchildren, singing to them and playing with them. Tom was a friendly man who enjoyed good conversation with family and friends. Tom was united in marriage to Phyllis (Maynard) Henkelman on November 13, 1998. Tom and Phyllis lived in Appleton until recently when they moved to Ortonville.Tom died on Sunday, September 2, 2012 at Ortonville Area Health Services, after a courageous battle with cancer. He had attained the age of 80 years, 6 months, and 25 days.Tom is survived by his wife, Phyllis; sons Tom Jr. (Bev) Wanke of Montevideo and Greg Wanke of St. Cloud; daughters, Liza Larson (fiancée, Jon Morris) of Eagan, Linda (Craig) Lavold of Shakopee, and Sandy (Jay) Norberg of Pipestone; daughter-in-law, Rhonda Wanke of Montevideo; siblings, John (Betty) Wanke of Milan and Gladys Anderson of Lincoln, NE; grandchildren Joseph Wanke, Sarah (Jason) Vonderharr, Elizabeth (Andy) Torgerson, Jacob (Beth) Wanke, Matt (Brit) Wanke, Justin Wanke, Jason (Molly) Wanke, Tonya Wanke, Shannan (Sam) Ebenreit, Tanner Hilden, Austin Lavold, Sydney Lavold, Zoey Lavold, Zach Norberg, Whitney Norberg, and Cody Norberg; 18 great-grandchildren, step-children, June (Steve) Hanson of Duluth, Bonnie (Jacob) Danielson of Correll, Kitt (Mike) Olson of Appleton, Arlin (Bonnie) Henkelman of Fargo, ND, Alvin (Lorraine) Henkelman of Lakewood, CO; step-grandchildren: Chris (Tracy) Hanson, Ryan (Angie) Hanson, Jeff Danielson, Alicia (Doug) Schliep, Chastity Glomstad, Cassandra (Mike) Osland, Curtis (Amy) Olson, Cory (Karrie) Henkelman, Sarah (Brad) Schneck, Hattie Henkelman, A.J. Henkelman, and Joshua Henkelman; 19 step-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.Tom is preceded in death by his parents Emil and Katherine Wanke; his second wife, Darlene; siblings: Hazel, Dorothy, Katherine, Gail, Gaylord, and Jim; his son, Dennis; an infant grandson, Justin and an infant step-grandson, Shawn.Blessed be the memory of Tom Wanke.
