Betty Lou Wanek

Betty Lou Wanek, 91, died Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at Bergen Mercy Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska after a short illness. She was born August 2, 1931 in Omaha, Nebraska the daughter of Brian Wilson & Pearl Valentine (Bourlier) Rimington; Omaha remained her home for her entire life. A beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

Betty Lou grew up in Omaha, Nebraska where she attended school and graduated from Technical High School in 1949. She then began work at Mutual of Omaha. On May 28, 1954, she married Marvin Duane Wanek in Omaha. Two years later, after her first child Steven was born, Betty Lou became a devoted mother and homemaker. Two years after that, twins Kevin and Karen were born. Once the children reached grade school, she returned to Mutual of Omaha working part-time in the evenings. In 1969, Marvin and Betty became the owners of a grocery store. Betty’s entire family worked hard at the store; the business was a success under the leadership of Marvin. After working long hours 365 days a year, twelve years later in 1980 the grocery store was sold and Betty Lou and Marvin both retired to focus on home life, travel, and their beloved grandchildren. In 1995, Betty Lou became a widow after forty-one years of marriage. She lived over sixty years in her cherished red brick ranch home. The last several months, The Meriwether retirement community kept her busy with fun-filled activities, new friendships, and countless social gatherings. Betty Lou had a blessed life; she was deeply loved and will be sadly missed.

Survivors include her sons Steven Wanek, of Omaha; Kevin Wanek and wife Tami Baak of Shorewood, Wisconsin; daughter Karen Wanek-Voien, and husband Erik Voien of LaVista, Nebraska, brother-in-law Roy Williams of Garden City, Kansas; sister-in-law Carole Dorman and husband Duane, of Lincoln, Nebraska; six grandchildren Chad Wanek, Michaella Wanek, Kristina Voien, Brian Voien, Ben Voien all of Omaha, Nebraska, and Sean Voien and wife Yuko Iwano of Bermuda; eight great-grandchildren Alexandria and Amelia Wanek; Juliana, Hendrix, Adriana and Kinzlee Lou Jones; Kameron and Rei Voien, numerous nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, great-grand nieces and nephews, and long-time friend Mary Ann Byfield. Betty Lou is preceded in death by her husband Marvin Wanek; parents, Brian Nigel Wilson & Pearl (Bourlier) Rimington; three brothers Brian Eugene Rimington, Fred & wife Delores “Dode” Rimington, Emile & wife Barbara Rimington; two sisters Mary Jane & husband Jerome “Duke” Malfait and Eva Williams.

A visitation for Betty Lou will be held Thursday, December 1, 2022 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home, 5701 Center St, Omaha, Nebraska 68106. A celebration of life service will occur Friday, December 2, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.westlawnhillcrest.com for the Wanek family.