Richard Wambeke

Richard John Wambeke was born on January 4, 1941, in Minneota, MN to Ferdinand and Margaret Wambeke. He grew up with nine brothers and sisters on a farm north of Minneota. He was baptized, received First Communion, and was confirmed at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Minneota. Dick graduated from Minneota High School in 1959 and then served for three years in the US Army, where he obtained the rank of Sergeant as an Artillery specialist. Following his time in the service, he attended Mankato State University while working road construction during the summers (paying in full for his college education) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree (Social Sciences) in 1967. On April 15, 1967, he was united in marriage to Janet Traen of Minneota at St. Edwards Catholic Church. Dick taught high school for a year following college graduation and then he and Janet moved to Marshall, MN where Dick began his life's work in social services. He worked for nearly 10 years in Marshall as a social worker. Dick, Janet, and their three children (Brad, Scott, and Dawn) moved to Granite Falls, MN in 1978 when Dick was selected to be the Director of Family Services for Yellow Medicine County. He continued to serve as the director until retiring in January, 2003. He has also served on the Granite Falls City Council and most recently as a County Commissioner for Yellow Medicine County. Dick enjoyed spending his time with his family and often took them camping as their children were growing up. He enjoyed playing softball and completed countless home and yard projects for his home as well as for his daughters? home. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren and spent many hours playing with them, roasting marshmallows on their beautiful Minnesota River property, fishing, or taking them to Willie's Corner Store for a treat. He had a tremendous sense of humor and was a remarkably patient, fair, kind, and caring man who undoubtedly made a positive impact on countless people during his lifetime. He will be dearly missed. Dick died peacefully on Tuesday, February 7th, 2012, at his home in Granite Falls. He is survived by his wife Janet and children/grandchildren: Brad (spouse Denise, and children: Elizabeth, Emilie, Katherine, Jack, and Sarah) Wambeke of Colorado Springs, CO; Scott (spouse Stephanie, and children: Quinn, Drake, and Zoe) Wambeke of Waconia, MN; and Dawn (children: Gage and Sashanna) Wambeke of Marshall, MN. He is also survived by his nine brothers and sisters: Marian, Joseph, Dorothy, Jean, Gloria, James, Mary, William, and Dennis. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers-in-law: Bob Hornstein (Mary) and Eugene Dau (Marian).