Francis Frank Wingen

Francis "Frank" Wingen, age 82 of Mankato, formerly of rural St. Clair, died peacefully at home on November 6, 2019 with his family by his side.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:00 PM on Thursday, November 14, at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Mankato. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Mankato. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Memorials are preferred to St. Croix Hospice.
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Francis Edward Wingen was born on May 25, 1937 in Mankato to Alonzo and Erna (Schonrock) Wingen. He was raised on the family farm in rural St. Clair, which has been in the Wingen family since 1864, when it was homesteaded by Franks great-grandfather. Frank began his education at Belleview Country School a year early to continue to be by the side of his older brother. Frank spoke fondly about walking with his neighbors to the old one-room schoolhouse, where he was pleased to be able to learn from instruction he heard given to the older grades. The two brothers graduated from St. Clair High School in 1954 as Valedictorian (Joe) and Salutatorian (Frank). Frank then went to Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis to study electrical engineering and welding, which was instrumental to farm work at the time as they transitioned from horse labor to machinery. During his time at Dunwoody and for several years following, Frank served in the US National Guards. On August 14, 1971, Frank was united in marriage to Mary Jane Bernaciak at St. John Cantius Catholic Church in Wilno, Minnesota. Together they danced hundreds of polkas and raised four children on the now fifth generation family farm.
Throughout his life Frank was a dedicated farmer; even his hobbies included farming. Along with raising crops he raised cattle, pigs, ducks, chickens and one dairy cow so his family always had fresh milk to drink. Frank and his wife also raised a bounty of different fruits and vegetables, which not only provided year-round food for the family, but also was generously distributed to others. When he wasnt working he loved to learn, read, watch the history channel and tell old family stories. Frank was a lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Clair and took his faith very seriously. As farmers often do, Frank never really retired. He continued to help with fieldwork, raise livestock and tend to a large garden. Frank was always "on the go", either working or socializing, making new friends wherever he went. In his later years, his grandchildren became his pride and joy, as he offered them multiple tractor rides and instilled his love for the farm and home-grown foods. He will be dearly missed.
He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years; one son; three daughters: Rebecca (Brian) Gersich, Barbara (Philip) Price and Angela (Benjamin Miller) Wingen; grandchildren: Noah and Samuel Gersich and Nathan, Collin, Martha and Silas Price; brothers: Alonzo (Cindy) Wingen and Phillip (Karen) Wingen; sister: Kathryn (Gerald) Stencel; sister-in-law: Veronica Wingen; brother-in-laws: Douglas Bernaciak and Denis (Ann) Bernaciak; many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Joseph; mother-in-law and father-in-law: Cashmer and Frances Bernaciak.