Arnold Leo "Arnie" Wanek

Arnold Leo "Arnie" Wanek, age 93, of Two Rivers passed away December 18, 2024 at his home surrounded by his wife Jean and loving family members.
Arnie was born September 6, 1931 in Two Rivers, son of Leo and Jessie (Otrodovec) Wanek and lived his whole life here. He married Jean Melnarik on October 13, 1954 in Denmark, WI, celebrating 70 years together this year. Together they had twelve children.
Arnie started his work career as a pin setter at the Community House in Two Rivers. Soon after High School he entered the U.S. Army and served during the Korean Conflict, for which he received the Purple Heart award for being injured in combat. When he returned from service, he worked for a short time at Mirro before starting a long career with the Two Rivers Post Office.
Arnie had a few passions in life which included fishing, gardening and bowling and he loved to involve his whole family in these activities. Every year, for over thirty years, he invited his family on an annual fishing trip to Minnesota or other destinations. One year this trip included over forty people and grandpa made sure everyone had a fishing license to take home their limit. He also loved to garden and encouraged his children to do the same. Arnie's biggest accomplishments, beside his family, came on the bowling lanes. He tallied many 700 honor counts and several 300 games in his career. Eventually being inducted into The Manitowoc County Bowlers Association Hall of Fame. He encouraged his family to participate in the sport and spent many Thursday nights bowling with or against several of his children. Arnie picked up the nickname "The King" for his accomplishments in bowling.
Arnie is survived by his loving wife of 70 years: Jean Wanek; his children: Michael (Carrie), Green Bay; Wane (Anna), Green Bay; Mark (Lisa), Two Rivers; Steve, Green Bay; Deen (Cass), Waterford; Casey (Michelle), Dunbar; Jay (Shirley), Wauwatosa; Wendy, Two Rivers; Aimee, Two Rivers; Randy (Paula), Manitowoc. He is further survived by his sister Darlene (Don), his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Merlin & Laverne, 17 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren (with one on the way) and numerous other relatives and friends. Besides his parents, Arnie was preceded in death by his in-laws George & Helen Melnarik, a son Patrick, an infant daughter Jayette, a grandchild Tyler, brothers-in-law James and Donald in addition to other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, December 28, 2024 at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be the Rev. Dave Pleier with burial to take place at Holy Cross Cemetery at a later date.
The family will greet relatives and friends at the church on Saturday, December 28, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the services at 11:30 a.m.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com
The Lakeshore Family Funeral Home, Klein & Stangel location is assisting the Wanek family with funeral arrangements.
A special Thank You to his caregivers in his last days, especially his nurses and his daughters Wendy and Aimee.
Arnie may be gone but his heritage lives on in all of us.
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