Lena Wek

Lena Wek, 91 of Freeman, passed away Thursday at the Freeman Regional Nursing Home. Funeral services will be Thursday, March 27th at 10:30am at St Boniface Catholic Church of rural Freeman. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5pm to 7pm with a prayer service at 7pm all at the church. 

Lena Mary (Plagge) Wek was born September 5, 1933, to Joseph and Rosa (Beckman) Plagge near Dell Rapids, SD. 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, SD hospital for 6 months. In 1955, she went to LPN Nursing School in Pierre, SD. After completing school, she then worked for 2 years at the Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

On October 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 8 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, ND, Elizabeth Brown, Sioux Falls, SD, Amanda (friend Ramsey) Wek, Salem, SD, Jeff (Valerie) Neuharth, Elk Point, SD, Eric (Michelle) Neuharth, Freeman, SD; 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, January 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.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to Freeman Regional Health Services Nursing Home and Avera Hospice for the care of Lena these past few months.