Obituary of Patricia A. Wentzel

Patricia A. "Pat" Wentzel, age 79, of Spencer, WI passed away Saturday October 15, 2016 at her home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12Noon on Friday, October 21, 2016 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Spencer. Rev. Samuel Martin will officiate. Family and friends are invited to gather on Friday at the church from 9AM until the time of service. The honor of pallbearer belongs to Jordan Wentzel, Randall Wentzel, Donald Wentzel, Devin Hendrix, Darien Hendrix, Steve Williams, Michael Stuttgen and Andrew Stuttgen. A private committal service will be held at West Spencer Cemetery at a later date. Patricia was born on August 18, 1937 to Nicholas and Hildegard (Wettstein) Stuttgen. The eldest of 17 children, Pat was raised in the Stanley-Boyd Area. In 1953 the family moved to Colby where Pat met Clifford Wentzel. After graduating Colby High School in 1956, Pat and Cliff were united in marriage on September 26, 1956 at St Mary's Catholic Church in Colby. They were happily married for 60 years, raising a family of seven children on dairy farms in Riplinger and Loyal before retiring in Spencer, WI. Pat was a devoted member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Spencer. She was a member of the Parish Council of Catholic Women, the Colby VFW Auxiliary and a leader/member of numerous other community organizations throughout the years. Pat loved spending time with her family; her greatest joy came from having all of her children home together. Pat and her husband were avid travelers visiting all 50 states. Extremely proud of their children's military service, they never missed an opportunity to visit other countries where they were stationed, enthusiastically embracing other cultures. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, crafts and had an inquisitive nature and passion for learning. Pat took advantage of a variety of educational opportunities over the years. Pat was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Additionally, she and Cliff opened their home to others, providing safety and refuge to over 40 foster children throughout the years. She was passionate about her job as a school bus driver and later of her volunteer work with the Marathon County Health Care Center. Pat was full of life, always smiling and laughing. She spent her life serving others and was a good friend to many. She never failed to see the good in people and embraced everyone as family. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and all who knew her. Pat is lovingly survived by her husband Clifford Wentzel of Spencer, and her children; Charlotte Avila of Black Hawk, SD, Gary (Colleen) Wentzel of Black River Falls, WI, Kenny (Norma) Wentzel of Spencer, WI, Karen (Virgil) Tingley of Rib Lake, WI, Kathy (Troy) Hendrix of Hickman, NE, Lisa (Thom) Odell of Glenwood, IA and Linda (Darius) Torres of Eau Claire, WI. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and 15 brothers and sisters. Pat is preceded in death by her parents; Nick and Hilda Stuttgen, a son-in-law; Steven Avila, and her brother, Larry Stuttgen. Arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home-Spencer. Please visit http://www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com to share thoughts and condolences.