John Wanous, 78, Brownsdale
John Richard Wanous, age 78, passed away on Oct. 30, 2026, at Legacy of Brownsdale after a brief battle with cancer.
John was born on April 26, 1948, in Hayfield, to Richard and Helen (Jukes) Wanous and liked to recount how Ma kept him warm in a shoebox on the stove. He attended school at District 56 and graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1966, where he participated in track and wrestling and was known as Paul Revere Jr., for all his midnight car rides.
On July 29, 1967, John married Marilyn (Sawyer) at St. Aidan’s in Ellendale. Marilyn always liked to say he lured her in with his handsome looks, but just as importantly, his fast car. He claims to still hold drag racing records made with his beloved blue Chevelle. And we believe him, because more often than not, he was right.
Together, John and Marilyn made a welcoming home in their beloved Brownsdale. Through the years their home was filled with family, friends and neighbors. Whether kicking off a group snowmobile tour, barbecuing for a crowd, hosting NASCAR watch parties or holding after bar hours, they always made room for more.
John and Marilyn raised five daughters; including their later in life oopsie, Katie, who John cared for in the off-season while Marilyn was working. He was very proud of his girls and loved showing them off whenever he got the chance. And you couldn't take the smile off his face when he was "cutting a rug" with them at their weddings.
Farming was an important part of John’s life from a very young age. He began driving a tractor at just eight years old and planted oats by age 12. He spent his working years farming with his brother, a profession and partnership that brought him great pride and enjoyment, until retiring in 2018. He spent many a day post-retirement out cruising and checking crops. Once a farmer, always a farmer.
Outside of farming, John enjoyed NASCAR and collecting die-cast cars. He appreciated leisurely drives through the countryside, listening to music (all genres, but Johnny Cash and Bruce Springsteen topped his list), grilling out, camping and enjoying a cold Busch Light at all the local bars, where he never met a stranger. These past few years his girls would encourage him to drink a cold one at Legacy, but he much preferred to go on a “tour” where he could socialize with his many friends, young and old,
John is survived by five daughters, Lisa Hegland of Osage, Iowa, Julie (Brad) Tapp of Dexter, Amy (Tracy) Tapp of Rochester, Jodi (Jeff) Carney of Hayfield, and Katie (Andrew) Brumm of Osage, Iowa; 12 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; brothers, Dick Wanous of Blooming Prairie, Tom (Julie) Wanous, and David (Brenda) Wanous of Blooming Prairie; along with other relatives and his many friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn, his parents, Richard and Helen Wanous, and his brother, Billy.
A memorial gathering will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, at the Blooming Prairie Funeral Home. The family welcomes everyone to join them in raising one last Busch Light to John at the Mapleview Bar immediately following the memorial service. John and Marilyn will be buried at a later time to St. Columbanus Catholic Cemetery in Blooming Prairie.