Wanda Engel

A funeral service for Wanda Engel, age 101, of Winner, SD, was held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Christ Lutheran Church, in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery. Mason Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Wanda was born December 16, 1924, the third child of Jacob and Hulda (Herrmann) Boes. She was born on a small farmstead rented by her parents near Naper, Nebraska. When Wanda was two years of age Jacob and Hulda moved their family to a farmstead they purchased south of Herrick, South Dakota. Wanda grew up a member of a large family. She worked on the farm while attending country school, finishing the 8th grade.

Wanda then moved to Winner, SD, where she lived with her older sister Orvilla (Hanig) Boes. Wanda worked at the Ella Pisha Café. Wanda met Melvin Engel who had recently returned home from military service (WWII). Wanda and Melvin were married on December 16, 1946. Melvin and Wanda rented an apartment before purchasing a lot located at 538 Lincoln Street in Winner. They purchased a rural farmhouse and moved it onto the lot. Their daughter Judy was born later in 1947. Wanda and Mel lived at the location on Lincoln St. for the next 60 years.

Wanda was proud of having worked her entire life. She worked at the Ella Pisha Café, the Herb Deber Bakery, Dick Nikelsen Dry Cleaners, Lyle Christian Dry Cleaners, Floyd Devish Dry Cleaners, Meiner’s Dry Cleaners, Winner School District (lunch lady), and Rich’s Recreation Center. Wanda was an excellent cook, and her pies were well known by family and friends.

The death of her husband, Melvin, was a great loss to Wanda. Many years later, following the death of several close family members, Wanda moved into the Golden Prairie Manor. She would reside there for nearly a decade before moving to Winner Regional Long-Term Care. Even after the loss of her vision and advanced age Wanda would frequently state, “I wish I could go to work”.

Wanda passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at the Winner Regional Long-Term Care Facility in Winner, SD.

Wanda is survived by her daughter Judy (Ivan) Vomacka; grandson Ryan (Karla) Vomacka; granddaughter Cary (Chris) Wadsworth; greatgrandchildren Evan, Gavin, Jacob, and Landon; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents Jacob and Hulda Boes; her siblings and their spouses—Leon (Joyce) Boes (WWII), Orvilla (Joey) Hanig, Naven (Opal) Boes, Vivian (Reuben) Klein, Darnytia (Joey) Kucera, Jean (Jim) Jares, and Shirley (Ivan) Vosika; granddaughter Carmen Vomacka; in-laws Frank (Lillian) Engel; brothers-in-law and spouses; sister in-law and spouse; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials can be given to the Winner American Legion Auxiliary — The Greatest Generation.