CARL ‘PEEWEE’ MANSKA

CARL ‘PEEWEE’ MANSKA
MARCH 22, 1940 – JUNE 22, 2017
OBITUARY
 
Benson, Minnesota – Carl “Pee Wee” Manska, died Thursday, June 22, 2017, at his home. 
Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Monday, June 26, 2017, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Benson.  Visitation will continue from 1-2 p.m., followed by the funeral at 2 p.m., Tuesday, June 27, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.  Interment will be in the Benson City Cemetery.  Arrangements are with Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson.
Carl “Pee Wee” Manska was born March 22, 1940, in Morris, Minnesota, the son of George Philip and Lorene (Staton) Manska.  He was baptized by Rev. CJ Swanson and confirmed by Rev. Orville Wold on March 30, 1958, at Holy Christian Church.  Pee Wee grew up in the Morris and Benson area.  He joined the National Guard at the age of 16 and served for 8 years with active duty from March 26, 1956 to March 25, 1959.  On September 16, 1959, Peewee was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Margaret Stay by Rev. Lowell Larson.  This union was blessed with more than 57 years of marriage.
Pee Wee was an over the road trucker that worked for several different companies before he got his own truck.  He was the sole owner and operator of his own truck that was called “Manska and Sons Trucking”.  He was a member of the Benson Jaycee’s and a wrestling coach of the Jaycee kid wrestling; and refed high school wrestling.  He started off playing softball for the Jaycee team then for Drugs and Plugs.  He also sponsored and played for Manska and Sons Trucking team and coached the women’s “Lund’s” softball team.  He helped fundraise for the DARE program, and collected toys for the Shriner Hospital.  Pee Wee and Shirley started the lighted Santa truck with the help of many volunteers over 16 years ago.  He enjoyed going to his kids and grandkids sporting activities.  He loved all sports even though baseball and wrestling were his favorite.  He learned to love hockey when his grandsons started playing.  Pee Wee and Shirley traveled on their three wheeled trike to Sturgis, the Black Hills, and several other states.  Pee Wee had the ability to start a conversation with anyone and everyone.  His hobbies included goose hunting, deer hunting, watching the Minnesota Twins and Vikings.  Pee Wee and Shirley have been taking care of Ambush Park in Benson for the last five years, where they met a lot of people that he knew when he was a trucker.  He enjoyed seeing the Rousslang family from Sauk Centre that came to camp several times during the summer. They had four kids who he looked forward to giving rides on the golf cart.
Pee Wee was called from this life on Thursday, June 22, at his home.  He attained the age of 77 years and 3 months.  He is survived by his wife, Shirley Manska; children: Kevin (Kimm) King of Trout Creek, MT, Lorene (Jerry) Larson of VA, Kim Manska of Willmar, Becky Manska of Eden Prairie, Sharon (Brad) Manska Gode of Clontarf, and Karl “Hoss” Manska (Kelly Hagen) of Benson; 7 grandchildren: Chris King, Lakeshia Fath (Bobby Crow), Zachary Larson (Theresa McElroy), Jakob Manska (Taryn), Andrew Fath (Tonya Johannessen), Victoria Manska, and Haley Manska; and 4 great-grandchildren: Eliana and Mason King, and Emma and Mackenzie Crow.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Lorene Manska; and siblings: Clifford Manska, Chuck Manska, Mick Manska, Ed Manska, Ester Beatle, Bertha Opeion, Claribel “Blackie” Gilbertson, and Grace Manska.  Blessed be memory of Carl “Pee Wee” Manska.
Please sign the guest book at:  www.zniewskifuneralhome.com