Stener "Steve" Wenaas
|
Stener “Steve” Wenaas, age 91, of Carrington, ND, passed away peacefully Sunday, April 19, 2015, at Golden Acres Manor. Stener O. Wenaas was born September 15, 1923, the son of Henry and Hannah (Gilberts) Wenaas. He was raised in Mayville, ND, and graduated from Mayville High School in 1941. On June 24, 1944, Steve married Lorraine Trautman in Pleasantville, New Jersey, while serving in the U.S. Navy on the Atlantic Coast. An 80 year career in retailing began in Mayville where he candled eggs for a local mercantile. Upon graduation, he worked for Red Owl stores in Devils Lake, Moorhead, and finally in Jamestown; where he met his bride, a cashier. After his military service, Steve moved to Carrington and established Steve’s Grocery, later known as Piggly Wiggly. In 1959, he built and operated Lucky Lanes. He returned to the grocery industry in 1965, with Steve’s Jack & Jill. His son, Ron, joined him in what is now SuperValu Foods. Active in his community, Steve was a member of the Federated Church, the VFW, American Legion, Chamber of Commerce, Carrington School Board, Carrington Golf Club, Kiwanis and Sons of Norway. He served many years as director of the ND Grocers Association and the Nash Finch Advisory Board. Many events found Steve cooking for the community. Steve will be remembered and deeply missed by his wife of 70 years, Lorrie; four children, Sandra (Jack) Lafferty of South Bend, IN, Robert (Joan) Wenaas of Cleveland, TN, Ron (Bonnie) Wenaas of Carrington and Shellie (Jack) Nelson of Bismarck, ND; four grandchildren, Eric Wenaas, Carrington, Ashley (Cory) Thompson of Bellevue, NE, Aaron (Mary) Wenaas of Brooklyn Park, MN and Ryan (Mariah) Wenaas of Carrington; and two great grandchildren, Nolan and Sadie. One brother, Harold (Leona) Wenaas of Great Falls, MT; and one sister, Helen Wenaas of Mayville. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Don, Charles, and Gordon; and sisters Avis and Beverly.
PRAYER SERVICE: Friday at 7PM, Evans Funeral Home, Carrington FUNERAL SERVICE: Calvary Baptist Church, Carrington, ND DATE AND TIME: Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 10:30AM BURIAL: Carrington Cemetery |
Posted Condolences:
(Scroll down to send a condolence)
***
Name: Gregg Held
Date: 05/02/2016
Message: I'm a bit late, Ron, but just saw your Dad's obit. I have fond memories of him from our Bowling Alley days. We practically lived at Lucky Lanes for a couple of years. He was a hard worker and a good man. From reading the messages left by others, he made a positive difference in the lives of many.
***
Name: Tom Beck
Date: May 18, 2015
Message: Ron, Shelly and families - Very sorry to hear about your Dad. He gave me one of my first paying jobs in Steve's grocery store, and it was a good one. You (Ron), Andy Caylor, and me, as I recall. Your Dad couldn't believe I didn't know where Everyone lived. Our thoughts for you and your families.
***
Name: Janet (Schaffer) Hahn
Date: 05-16-15
Message: Ron and family,
I'm sorry to hear about your father passing away. Our thoughts and prayers are with you! I have many nice memories of going to the grocery store in Carrington and always being greeted by your Dad. With deepest sympathies.
***
Name: Kathy Beck Rueter
Date: 5-15-15
Message: Dear Wenaas family-
My mother- Ruth Johnson- and I want to extend our condolences on the passing of Steve. He was a wonderful man and will be missed by so many.
***
Name: Mike & Judy Schlecht
Date: 4/27/15
Message: Ron and family - We are sending our sincere sympathy to you as you remember your Father, and also the Easter Promise of Eternal Life with Jesus!! God's Blessings to all.
Mike & Judy Schlecht
***
Name: Tina Jans
Date: 4-25-15
Message: Praying for you all during this time of loss. May Gods love guide you through and help you remember the happy times.
***
Name: Helen Kavonius
Date: 4/25/2015
Message: we are very sad today and wish we could be there with you. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Please give Lorrie a big hug for us. Steve was one great guy and we were honored to enjoy his friendship (and cooking!). Helen & Sylvia
***
Name: Gary and Bernadine Anderson
Date: 4/24/15
Message: Sympathy to you in your loss. Steve was always friendly and upbeat. He seemed to care about everyone. Missed seeing him in the store this spring. He worked very hard for this community and has passed that ethic on. He will be missed.
***
Name: Duane & Mary Ann Zwinger
Date: April 24, 2015
Message: So sorry to hear of Steve's passing. Our prayers go out to the family. Steve was a great man and person. He will be missed by everyone. A pillar of a man in the community of Carrington.
***
Name: Jane Kallberg Cody
Date: 04/24/2015
Message: My condolences to all of you. The Wenaas family were good friends of the Kallberg family. The memories is what will see you through. My prayers go out to you all.
Jane
***
Name: Al Cruchet
Date: 4 24 15
Message: So sorry to hear of Steve's passing. I remember him as a good role model from my youth.
***
Name: Bill & Judy Andersen
Date: 04/23/2015
Message: Our heart felt sympathy to the entire family. Steve was a great grocer, friend, and caring person. He also played a great round of golf! He will be remembered and we express our sincere condolences.
***
Name: Roger W Young
Date: 04/22/2015
Message: Steve gave me my first job in 1957 when I was 15 years old as a carry out boy, stock boy and all round gofer. He was very good to the high school kids who worked for him and he taught us a lot. He was a wonderful mentor and role model. Getting to work for him was a real status symbol for us. Memories of him have lived in my heart and mind for many years. When I was able to touch base with him whenever I was back in Carrington, he always remembered me and enjoyed the chance to reminisce about the old days. I am proud to say that in some small way, I was in the grocery business with Steve Wenaas! I am so sorry to hear of his passing. My sincere condolences to the entire Wenaas family.
***
Name: Leslie (Wenaas) & Lupe DeLaCruz
Date: 4/22/15
Message: So sorry for your loss. Our prayer and many thoughts are with you all. My father was a cousin of Stener, (Theodore Wenaas), but I still love trying to keep up with those who are still with us.
***
Name: Paul & Jean Moen
Date: 04-22-15
Message: Our sympathies to Family members. As a young family just out of college, we were on a tight budget, in 1972. I was in the store one day, and Steve and I visited. He insisted we have a 1/4 of beef, and allowed us to pay a very small amount of money over time. We will never forget this kindness and generosity. RIP Stener.
***
Name: Roger Parkinson
Date: 04-22-2015
Message: Ron: Sorry to read about Steve's passing. Our Condolences to and your family. I have fond memories of Steve from my Nash Finch days. It was always a pleasure to work with your family. You are in Our thoughts and Prayers
***
Name: Sally Roerick
Date: 4-22-15
Message: Ron, Bonnie, Ryan & Eric, so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and all of your family.
***
Name: Joan (Stromberg) Anderson
Date: April 22
Message: I read about the passing of Steve Wenaas, and figured he must have been my uncle Don's relative. My prayers go to each of you in the loss of your husband, father, grandfather.
***
Name: Muriel (Anderson) Tourtelotte
Date: 4/21/15
Message: Ron...I am thinking of you and your family and sending my deepest condolences in the loss of your dad.