Betty Vanek

Betty Vanek, age 75, of Hillsboro, Oregon, formerly of Trade Lake, WI, passed away Wednesday, October 26, 2016. Betty was born on December 24, 1940, in Big Mound Twp., Illinois, to the late George F. and Ethel (Medler) Felix. She attended public schools in Forest Grove and New Hope, IL and attended Mills Prairie School in Edwards County, IL, graduating from the high school in 1958. From 1959 to 1962, Betty attended Missouri Baptist School of Nursing in Saint Louis, MO. She was initially employed as a Registered Nurse (RN) by Missouri Baptist Hospital for a year, and then at the American Red Cross and Lutheran Hospital in St. Louis for two years. Betty was united in marriage in St. Louis, MO, on July 10, 1965, with Rev. James “Jim” Vanek, who had been recently ordained in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hinckley, MN, on June 6, 1965. In August of 1965, Betty and Jim moved to Canada as Rev. Vanek had accepted a call to Trinity Lutheran Church in Thunder Bay, Ontario. After serving this congregation for twelve years, Pastor Vanek accepted a call to serve congregations in Frederic and Comstock (Pipe Lake), Wisconsin, and later at St. John's Lutheran Church in Cameron, WI. He retired from active ministry in August 2003. During their stay in Canada, Betty was employed as a RN at Port Arthur General Hospital and McKellar Hospital in Thunder Bay, Ontario. She then worked at Frederic Hospital and at St. Croix Valley Hospital in the Medical/Surgical Depts. for twenty-five years, and lived in Frederic and Trade Lake. Betty retired about the same time as Pastor Vanek. Betty was very active in the churches, assisting her husband with the women’s programs and conducting Bible studies. She was also a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. Fishing on Trade Lake, and quilting, were a few of Betty’s many interests that she received a great deal of pleasure and self-satisfaction. Betty is survived by her husband of 51 years, Rev. James Vanek; her children: Peggy Vanek, Karen Vanek, and Jason (Saundra) Vanek; her grandchildren: Collin and Kyle; Alyjah, Luna, Azeekyal, and Draven; and other relatives. The memorial service honoring and celebrating the life of Betty Vanek will be conducted at 10:00 am, Saturday, November 26, 2016, at Lawson Manor, 623 South Second Street, Luck, WI. Relatives and friends may fellowship with Betty’s family prior to and after the service. Private interment will be in Brook Park Cemetery, Brook Park, MN. Arrangements have been entrusted with Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, WI. Online condolences may be expressed at www.swedberg-taylor.com.