Long-time cook Werkele preparing meals at Eagles

Donna Werkele is well-known in the area since moving to Wauneta from Wyoming in 1976.
She has been preparing meals for the public since 1986 when she began cooking at Enders Lake Golf Course.
In 1994, she purchased the golf course and continued preparing meals for nearly three more decades, she said.
“Even though I sold the golf course in 2020, I continued to cook there until they hired a chef recently,” said Werkele.
She said the Eagles had approached her about becoming their cook even before the golf course had sold. So beginning the last weekend of October, she accepted the position.
For three weeks prior to the Eagles opening up to offering meals to the public again, Werkele spent those weeks cleaning and painting the facility to give it a fresh feel.
“We’re expanding back to the way it used to be before Covid,” she said.
The Eagles now serves meals to the public from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Monday. Orders to-go are also welcome.
Friday’s menu is Mexican food. Saturday is prime rib and seafood.
“I’m not formally trained as a chef, but I love to cook and always have. So Monday night is my ‘comfort food night,’” Werkele said.
Monday’s menu offers various hamburgers, other types of sandwiches and a different comfort food special each week, she added.
She said they are now booking Christmas parties and reservations for special events or meetings.