Gladys H. Wentzel

Wentzel, Gladys H.

Gladys H. Wentzel, age 91, died Sunday morning, October 1, 2006, at Emerald Valley Assisted Living. She was born October 6, 1914, to the late Herman and Lena (Hunke) Bunnow, in Fond du Lac. Kimberly Clark brought the family to live near the mill in Kimberly. In a home on John Street, Gladys was the eldest of six children and was often entrusted to help care for her younger brothers and sisters. She also assisted her mother in the garden and with the many violets and plants that needed tending. After graduation from the Kimberly Public Schools, she worked as a secretary for Aid Association for Lutherans. Gladys married Harold Wentzel on August 12, 1939. Gladys and Hal lived in Appleton for a short time and settled in Kimberly to raise their family of four children. She was very dedicated to her family and instilled a love for music, art and the importance of education. Her collection of violets and living plants were a tribute to the green thumb she inherited from her mother. Gladys was a gourmet cook. Meals were a family event even though she sometimes had to plan around Packer games, she did so with style and grace. As her children married, she welcomed spouses and grandchildren with delight, taking pleasure in the innocence of children then encouraging their individual potential. An avid reader, she stayed abreast of current events and culture. Gladys and her husband were founding patrons of the Papermaker Players.
Her favorite thing in life was her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Gladys will be missed by her survivors: her children, Ginny Wentzel (Harry Wardesky), Rosholt; Harold Jr. (Carol) Wentzel, Wausaukee; Tom (Barbara) Wentzel, Kimberly; Betsy (Bob) Frank, Marshfield; her grandchildren, Jennifer (Jon) Stone, Andy (Leslie) Wentzel, Johanna (Meas) Vang, Sarah (Pete) Stoeger, Natalie (Ryan) Rodden, Nathan Frank; 14 great grandchildren; and her sister, Grace Dietzen, Barrington, IL, who remembers their special bond. She was preceded in death by her husband, a sister Joyce, three brothers, Carl, Melvin and Lloyd, five sisters-in-law and seven brothers-in-law.
The memorial service for Gladys will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, October 6, 2006, at the funeral home, with Jon Stone officiating. Ennichement will be in Appleton Highland Memorial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 1:00 pm, until the time of the service. A memorial fund is being established for the Papermaker Players.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Emerald Valley and ThedaCare at Home Hospice.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 North Superior Street
Appleton 920-739-1231
www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com