Ivan Wienck

Ivan Leroy Wienck, age 85 of Blue Rapids, passed away Saturday, March 8, 2025.

Ivan was born on September 23, 1939, on Coon Creek in Washington County, the son of Fred and Olga Stigge Wienck. When Ivan was five years old the family moved to Swede Creek in Riley County. He never left Swede Creek and bought the family farm in 1971.

On May 1, 1965, he married Irene Strafuss at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Manhattan. Together they raised six children.

Faith, farming, and community were core values of the Wienck family. Ivan was an active member of St. Elizabeth St. Monica Catholic Church, serving many years on church council, as a lector and a member of the Marysville Knights of Columbus.

Farming was his life. Dairy and beef cattle, hogs, and row crops. Everyone was involved, and not always by choice. It was a family event picking up rocks or debris after a flood, cutting cane or pulling button weeds, and working the baby pigs. There was little time for travel or vacations. A late day decision in early August once the hay was up would be a quick trip. Do you turn left or right once you get to the highway was the first decision. After Irene retired, she and Ivan traveled to Las Vegas for the NFR and to Alaska. They also took road trips around surrounding states, to Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, the Tetons, the Rockies, San Antonio and Niagara Falls, plus the countless trips for activities of his grandchildren.

Ivan was committed to his community. He served many years on the Swede Creek Township Board and as Battalion Chief of the Swede Creek Volunteer Fire Department. Ivan served on the Blue Valley Randolph School Board, was a member of the Randolph Lions Club, and a lifelong supporter of 4-H. First as a member, and then as a leader in the Randolph Ramblers 4-H Club and serving on the Riley County Fair Board. Ivan traveled the state of Kansas representing the Kansas Pork Producers, cooking at the Kansas State Fair, Riley County Fair and Governor’s Mansion in Topeka. He served multiple terms for the Blue Rapids and Beattie CO-OP Boards.

Ivan was known for his orneyness, telling you how it was, and never knowing a stranger. He was almost always right.

He is survived by his wife, Irene Wienck of the home; six children, Brenda Miesner and husband John of Manhattan, Karla Flax and husband Gregory of Manhattan, John Wienck and wife Linda of Randolph, Cathy Wilber and husband Matthew of Wamego, Wanda Comer and husband Scott of Shawnee, and Colleen Wienck and husband Sam Weese of Wichita; nine grandchildren, Rebekka (Trevor) Rinne, Abigail Flax, Sarah Flax, Zachary Flax, Allison Comer, Jeremy Comer, Isaac Wilber, Isabella Wilber, and William Miesner; two great grandchildren, Theodore Rinne and Charlotte Rinne, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Howard Wienck, Melvin Wienck, and Donald Wienck, and one sister, Vivian Vickerman.

A Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at the St. Monica St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Blue Rapids. The family will receive friends before the Rosary from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 13, 2025, at the St. Monica St. Elizabeth Catholic Church with Father Jim Shaughnessy and Deacon Buzz Harris as Celebrants. Burial will be in the Swede Creek Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the Ivan Wienck Memorial Fund, to be determined at a later date. Contributions may be left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 176, Riley, Kansas 66531.