Lena Wek, 91
Lena Wek, 91, of Freeman, S.D., passed away Thursday, March 20 at the Freeman Regional Nursing Home. A funeral service will be held Thursday, March 27 at 10:30 a.m. at St Boniface Catholic Church of rural Freeman. Visitation was scheduled for Wednesday, March 26 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m., all at the church.
Lena Mary (Plagge) Wek was born Sept. 5, 1933, to Joseph and Rosa (Beckman) Plagge near Dell Rapids, S.D. She attended school at Dell Rapids and was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Dell Rapids.
In 1954, Lena worked as a nurse aide in the Milbank, S.D. hospital for six months. In 1955, she went to LPN Nursing School in Pierre, S.D. After completing school, she then worked for two years at the Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.
On Oct. 21, 1956, Lena married Gerald A. Wek and became a farmer’s housewife, raising two children, son Rodney and daughter Debra. At the age of 42 years, she went back to working as a nurse for 26 years at the Freeman Community Hospital. After retiring from there, she went to work at the Salem Mennonite Home for the Aged. She worked there for eight years, while also working at the Freeman Country Inn Motel for 14 years.
Lena was an active member in her church, St. Boniface Catholic Church-Idylwilde. She enjoyed going to retreats at Broom Tree, working in her yard, reading, traveling, and watching the Minnesota Twins baseball games. She also enjoyed spending time with her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.
Lena is survived by her son Rodney (Lynn) Wek of Freeman, her daughter Debra (Dale) Neuharth of Freeman; Grandchildren: Nicole (Brett) Behm, Bismarck, N.D., Elizabeth Brown, Sioux Falls, Amanda (friend Ramsey) Wek, Salem, S.D., Jeff (Valerie) Neuharth, Elk Point, S.D., Eric (Michelle) Neuharth, Freeman; Great-grandchildren: Chandler Dant, Olivia and Tucker Neuharth, Bridget and Landon Neuharth, Janari and Niya Brown; sisters Jeanetta Rolph and Marie (Nick) VanLoh; Sisters-in-law Marian Plagge and Bonnie Wek (Michael Donahue).
She was proceeded into death by her husband, Gerald, Jan. 14, 1992; grandsons Bradley and Corey Wek; her parents Joseph and Rosa Plagge; her brothers William and Herman Plagge; sisters Bernetta Stepanek and Mathilda Olsen; parents-in-law Carl and Mary Wek; brothers-in-law Joseph Stepanek, Melvin Olsen, Philip Rolph, Milton Schaeffer, Stan Schulte, and Milford Welch; sisters-in-law Deloris Schulte and Marcella Welch; three nephews Rodger and Donald Rolph, James Olsen; two nieces Marilyn Stepanek and Karen Wermers.
