Maynard Wogen

MAYNARD MARLIN WOGEN was born on August 12, 1948 in Albert Lea, Minnesota to Milford and Olive (Sime) Wogen. He grew up on a farm on the Minnesota/Iowa border in Kiester, Minnesota. He received his education in Kiester, graduating with the Kiester High School class of 1966. After high school, he continued his education at Mankato State University in Mankato, Minnesota where he earned a degree in Business. While attending college, he started his life-long career in the Meat Processing Industry at Dunlop Meats in Mankato. He held various positions, starting as a processor and earning his way up to foreman, then manager, then Plant Manager, then R&D Specialist, and also a consultant. After 39 years with the same business in Mankato, Maynard began working at Monogram Meat Snacks in Chandler, Minnesota. In September 1970, Maynard was united in marriage to Sandra Stroming in Wells, Minnesota. They made their home in Mankato where they worked, lived and raised their son, Kyle. After the dissolution of their marriage and much discussion, it was decided that Maynard would raise Kyle, which he took great pride in. He was a hands-on single father for over 10 years. While working at Dunlop Meats, Maynard met Colleen Franchuk, they were married on August 15, 1987 in Sibley Park in Mankato. They lived in Mankato where they added two adopted children from Ukraine to the family. In 1993, they moved to Good Thunder, Minnesota and added two more adopted children from Russia. They continued to live in Good Thunder until 2009 when a new career opportunity led them to Pipestone, Minnesota. He continued to live in Pipestone until Friday, April 24, 2015 when he was called home as a result of an automobile accident at the age of 66 years, eight months and 12 days.

In his younger years, Maynard enjoyed horseback riding and had a horse named Ray. He enjoyed hiking and camping, and in particular cherished the camping trips he would take with his son Kyle to the Boundary Waters and the Black Hills. He was an avid runner in his youth, enjoyed taking walks, golfing, games of any type and level, he enjoyed watching sports; he even participated in coaching Kyle’s hockey team. Family was an important part of Maynard’s life. He would spend countless hours reading to his children, taking them to sporting events – everything he did with them, was special. While Maynard was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church in Mankato his faith became a firm foundation in his life. His dedication to serving Christ led him to become very active in serving his community through the works of various ministries, including Promise Keepers and Insights for Men. Maynard took great joy actively sharing his faith with his sons when they would accompany him. After their move to Pipestone, the Wogen family found their new spiritual home at Skandia Evangelical Free Church near Balaton, Minnesota. At Skandia Maynard and Colleen began forging deep lasting relationships with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

Maynard is lovingly remembered by his wife, Colleen of Pipestone; his children: Kyle (Mila) Wogen of Chaska, Minnesota, Andrei Wogen of Pipestone, Minnesota, Anna Wogen of Grand Forks, North Dakota, Nadia Wogen of Mankato, Minnesota, Vladimir (fiance’ Alexia Larson) of Grand Forks, North Dakota; grandchildren: Leslie Wogen of Shakopee, Minnesota and Noah Wogen of Chaska, Minnesota; great-grandchildren: Dylan and Dominick Jackson of Shakopee, Minnesota; siblings: Audrey (Norlin) Rober of Marshalltown, Iowa, Warren (Sherri) Wogen of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Lorene (Paul) Hansen of Olivia, Minnesota, Donna (Steve) Carolus of Remer, Minnesota; sister-in-law Lois Wogen of St. Paul, Minnesota and several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Nylene Wogen in infancy and LuAnn Wogen and brother Lynn Wogen.