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(Jan. 7, 1927 - Jan. 16, 2018)
Francis “Frank” Triphon Wambeke was born on Jan. 7, 1927, to Ivo and Alice Wambeke in Deaver. There he grew up on the family farm working the fields. Before he left to serve his country during WWII in Okinawa, he met his future wife, Maxine Asay.
After returning, they married, and he and Maxine started their life in Lovell working for his uncle. Frank and Maxine moved five times and they had five kids, each one associated with a different farmhouse. They settled in Deaver in 1958, where Frank continued his lifelong love for farming until he passed away. He was recognized for nurturing the best crops in the area with many awards, but he also loved taking care of livestock. His success as a farmer and his knowledge was valued by many. People would ask him for advice, but it wasn’t his nature to tell anyone what to do but he would help by saying “If it were me this is what I would do.”
Frank’s work ethics, courage, sense of humor, and determination, were character traits that were admired by many and he passed these down to his children and their families. Also important to Frank, were fall hunting trips with his brothers, family fishing trips, family reunions, butchering, branding, harvest season and Sunday morning pancakes with his family.
He was called to heaven with his children beside him.
Frank was preceded in death by his wife Maxine of 67 years. Surviving are his five children, Ivy Englert, Renee Gomendi (Chuck), Paul Wambeke (Troy), Mona Sorenson (Mark), and Jenny VanLake (Terry) and his faithful dog, Rod. He also has 13 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
Services for Frank Wambeke were at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church in Powell on Jan. 22. Rosary and viewing for Frank were at Haskell’s in Lovell on Sunday, Jan. 21.
Memorials in honor of Frank Wambeke may be sent to the Deaver Community Hall or St. Barbara’s Catholic Church.
