Steve Wenaas

Published April 23, 2015 at 6:57 PM

Steve Wenaas

Stener "Steve" Wenaas, age 91, of Carrington, ND, passed away peacefully Sunday, April 19, 2015, at Golden Acres Manor.

Stener O. Wenaas was born September 15, 1923, the son of Henry and Hannah (Gilberts) Wenaas. He was raised in Mayville, ND, and graduated from Mayville High School in 1941.

On June 24, 1944, Steve married Lorraine Trautman in Pleasantville, New Jersey, while serving in the U.S. Navy on the Atlantic Coast.

An 80 year career in retailing began in Mayville where he candled eggs for a local mercantile. Upon graduation, he worked for Red Owl stores in Devils Lake, Moorhead, and finally in Jamestown; where he met his bride, a cashier. After his military service, Steve moved to Carrington and established Steve's Grocery, later known as Piggly Wiggly. In 1959, he built and operated Lucky Lanes. He returned to the grocery industry in 1965, with Steve's Jack & Jill. His son, Ron, joined him in what is now SuperValu Foods.

Active in his community, Steve was a member of the Federated Church, the VFW, American Legion, Chamber of Commerce, Carrington School Board, Carrington Golf Club, Kiwanis and Sons of Norway. He served many years as director of the ND Grocers Association and the Nash Finch Advisory Board. Many events found Steve cooking for the community.

Steve will be remembered and deeply missed by his wife of 70 years, Lorrie; four children, Sandra (Jack) Lafferty of South Bend, IN, Robert (Joan) Wenaas of Cleveland, TN, Ron (Bonnie) Wenaas of Carrington and Shellie (Jack) Nelson of Bismarck, ND; four grandchildren, Eric Wenaas, Carrington, Ashley (Corey) Thompson of Bellevue, NE, Aaron (Mary) Wenaas of Brooklyn Park, MN and Ryan (Mariah) Wenaas of Carrington; and two great grandchildren, Nolan and Sadie. One brother, Harold (Leona) Wenaas of Great Falls, MT; and one sister, Helen Wenaas of Mayville.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Don, Charles, and Gordon; and sisters Avis and Beverly.

Visitation:Friday 9AM - 7PM with a Prayer Service at 7PM all at Evans Funeral Home, Carrington.

Funeral Service:Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 10:30AM Calvary Baptist Church, Carrington.

Interment:Carrington Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Federated Church UCC/UMC, Carrington.

On-line condolences may be sent at www.EvansFuneralHomeND.com