Randy Wanek

Randy Wanek, 55, a resident of Fergus Falls, died unexpectedly as a result of cardiac arrest, on Friday, May 28, 2010, at Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls.  Randy was born to Kenneth and Lou Ann (Erlandson) Wanek in Fergus Falls. He graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1973, Fergus Falls Community College in 1975 and Bemidji State College in 1977. He completed his Nursing Home Administrative licensure coursework at Concordia College in 1997. He married Deborah J. Nelson on March 1, 1980. Through the years, Randy was employed as business manager of Xens Sporting Goods in Bemidji, Wanek Plumbing as a master plumber, Broen Memorial Home as environmental services supervisor, as the nursing home administrator at the Good Samaritan Center in Hoffman and Glenwood, Coordinator of Health Care recruitment for West Central Initiative and currently as the nursing home administrator in Pelican Rapids. Preceding him in death was his father, Kenneth Wanek. Survivors include his wife, Deb, of Fergus Falls, three daughters, Alyssa (Timothy) Bergen of Sanford, Manitoba, Suzanne Wanek of Fergus Falls and Elizabeth Wanek of Fergus Falls; mother, LouAnn of Fergus Falls; sister, Brenda (Jonathan) Piekarski and their children, Joel (Britt) Piekarski, Julie( and her fiancé Ted Goldfine) Piekarski and Michelle Piekarski; his father and mother-in-law, Norman and Cleone Nelson of Bagley, brothers-in-law, Curt Nelson and Joe (Carol) Nelson of Bagley and sister-in-law, Nan (Phil) Vobr. Also surviving are several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews and cousins. Randy was devoted to his family and to God. He took great joy in helping people laugh. He had a quick wit and a great gift for bringing humor into every aspect of people’s lives. Humor for him, was a healing salve that he lavished on everyone he met. His zest for life, gentle heart, and kind ways touched many lives and he will be deeply missed. Visitation:   4 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 31, 2010 at First Baptist Church with a public prayer service at 6 p.m.  Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Service:  1 p.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church, Fergus Falls, MN Clergy:   Reverend Ned Eerdmans Burial: Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Fergus Falls, MN