Warren Tunis Wognum

Warren Tunis Wognum, 80,  died Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at Spectrum Carefree Living in Ely, Minnesota. He was born on June 19, 1935 in Harvey, Illinois, the son of Louise (Novotny) and Tunis Paarlberg Wognum of South Holland, Illinois.
He graduated from Thornton Township High School, Harvey, Illinois in 1953. He attended Hope College, Holland, Michigan; Thornton Junior College, and graduated from the American Institute of Banking.
He was an assistant vice president  at the First National Bank of Dolton, Ill. and later at Norwest Bank Mesabi (Ely, MN office).  He also worked at Metropolitan Bank in Fargo. In 1989 he received Norwest Bank’s 100% Club, Service Excellence Regional Winner. 
Active in the communities in which he has lived, in Illinois he was assistant Fire Chief of Steger Estates Volunteer Fire Department President of Steger Estates Fire Protection District, President of Willco Fire Chiefs, District 4 of Illinois Firemen’s Association. After moving with his wife and two children to Ely, MN in 1974 he served as treasurer of the Vermilion College Foundation Board, was  past treasurer and past president of the Ely Lions Club. He also served on Morse Township Planning & Zoning Committee, Ely Area Development Council’s New Business Committee; City of Winton Planning & Zoning Committee; Ely Winton Rod & Gun Club; and Ely Hoop Club.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting, trap shooting, music, reading, playing the piano, collecting antiques and attending local athletic games. 
Warren was preceded in death by his parents and his special friend Inta. 
He is survived by his children and their families: Nicholas (Mary) Wognum and their children Jacob (Kyah), Megan and Evan; Sandra Wognum and her sons John, Quay and Tyson. He is also survived by his former wife Anne Swenson and his two children by a previous marriage: David Kirby and Victoria Hollander.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, April 9 from 1-2:30 p.m. at Kerntz Funeral Home.

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