After 33 years of dedicated service, Merlyn Wanous, 76, has retired from the Mid-County Coop board of directors.
“I think I only missed six meetings in my entire career,” Wanous said. “I tried to make every one.”
In 1976, Wanous was nominated to the board of directors by the driver that delivered fuel oil to Wanous’ home.
“I went to the annual meeting, and all of a sudden I was elected,” he laughed. That initial three-year term was the start of several years as Mid-County Coop’s board president, and later, vice president.
“It was very interesting and rewarding,” Wanous said, explaining that he liked finding solutions to problems and watching the company change and grow.
At first, Wanous was on the board at MN Victoria Oil. In 1998, the company merged with Mid-County Coop of Cologne. “When we merged, Victoria was a small coop and Mid-County was a large coop,” Wanous said. “It was a fantastic move on both parts.”
In addition to his service at Mid-County, Wanous was also a post office worker for 30 years. Wanous and his wife, Betty, have three adult children and eight grandchildren. Their son, Duane, lives on the family farm in Silver Lake.
In 2006, Wanous and Betty sold their property in Excelsior and purchased a modular home on the farm. The move came just in time, because Wanous was diagnosed with cancer shortly after. Being close to family helped make chemotherapy treatments much easier. “The good Lord blessed us,” Wanous said.
Since 2006, Wanous has suffered from prostate and bone cancer. He was recently diagnosed with leukemia, as well, but keeps an enthusiastic and joyful attitude. “It doesn’t do much to cry,” he said.
Wanous finds enjoyment in nature, and he especially loves to watch the birds near his country home. “Betty has all kinds of bird feeders out here,” he said. Last year, eight bluebirds hatched on their property.
It’s clear that Wanous will be greatly missed at Mid-County Coop. “I had a fantastic farewell party,” Wanous said. “The board members in Cologne have been fantastic to work with.”
