Lauren Frank Vanek

Lauren Frank Vanek was born on November 23, 1939 in Albert Lea, the son of Wilton “Doc” and Rose (Prantner) Vanek. He grew up in Glenville and attended school in Albert Lea and Glenville, graduating from Glenville High School in 1958. On December 29, 1961 Lauren was united in marriage to Arlene Fay Sande. He worked for the Glenville School District as a custodian for 32 years, and as the Transportation Director. Lauren drove a school bus, farmed in Glenville, drove a truck for Emil Olson and for Barry Jacobson Trucking, and was the caretaker of Greenwood Cemetery. He also was a volunteer fireman in Glenville for 45 years and served as the Assistant Chief. Lauren was a member of First Lutheran Glenville and the Glenville FFA where he was an Honorary Chapter Farmer. He enjoyed snowmobiling, camping, family vacations, deer hunting, and spending time with family especially his grandchildren; and his pet dogs Maddie and Indy.
Survivors include his wife Arlene; daughter Kathy (David) Snyder; sons Greg (Jenny) Vanek and Jeff Vanek; grandchildren Dayton, Lacey, and Lindsey Snyder, and Sara, Jennifer, and Nathan Vanek; brothers Larry (Linda) Vanek and Lonnie (Sandy) Vanek; sisters-in-law Judy (Gene) Branson, Bev (Darold) Anderson, Erlys Trolyn, Marlene Miner, and Patricia Irwin; brothers-in-law Richard, Jack, Robert, and Arnold Wilkerson, Chester Sande; and many nieces and nephews.
Lauren was preceded in death by his parents, his mother-in-law- and father-in-law Ernest and Anna Sande, brothers-in-law Lloyd and Hank WIlkerson; sisters-in-law Ruth Sande, Gladys Aston, Darlene Watkins, Betty Kvam, Pearl Mason, and Pat Wradislavsky; and several aunts and uncles.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Greenwood Club or Glenville First Lutheran Church.