Marlene Wentz

Nov. 15, 1936 – Feb. 10, 2023

Rugby

Marlene Petera Wentz, daughter of Pius and Margaret (Mattern) Schmidt was born on November 15, 1936 in Rugby, North Dakota. She was the oldest of 6 children. She went to school in Rugby for 8 years at Little Flower School and graduated from Rugby High School.

Marlene met Valentine Wentz at a barn dance in 1952 and they were united in marriage on June 7th, 1954, in Rugby. The couple purchased Valentine’s former schoolhouse and made it into a home for their family. Together they shared 9 children, Patrick, Perry, Steve, Valerie, Jerry, Ronald, Barbara, Raymond, and Peggy. Their children blessed them with 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Marlene enjoyed baking, gardening, tending to her plants and flowers and loved crocheting. She crocheted blankets for all her brothers and sisters, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends and family. She enjoyed having coffee with family and friends and loved to bake homemade bread and buns. You could always count on her to bring her german potato salad to all her family gatherings. Giving to her family and friends meant more than anything to Marlene.

Marlene passed away peacefully on Friday, February 10th, 2023 under the care of her family and hospice at Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby, North Dakota. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Valentine, her sons, Perry, Raymond, and Ronald; daughters, Barbara Wentz and Valerie Mitzel along with her son-in-law, Milo Mitzel and grandson Timothy Mitzel; a brother, Dennis Schmidt; a granddaughter, Danelle Germain; a daughter-in-law, Lorraine Wentz; a brother-in-law, Anton (Tony) Wentz; and a sister-in-law, Loretta Mosser.

She is survived by her sons, Patrick (Theresa) of Turtle Lake, Steve of Watford City, and Jerry of Rugby; and daughter, Peggy (Troy) Marsden of Fargo; along with 13 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Tami Wentz of Rugby; brothers, David (Darlene) of Lincoln, Douglas of Pilgrim, NE; a sister-in-law, Florence of Tilden, NE; twin sisters, Janet (Keith) Senechal of Overly, and Janice (Ronald) Hrabik of East Grand Forks, MN; a sister-in-law, Jane Kuntz of Rugby and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 18th, 2023 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Balta with a summer burial in the church cemetery and a celebration of life in June. Father John Aerts, Celebrant.

Organist: Glenda Mack, Vocalists: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church Choir

Readers: Michelle Balliet, Valerie Bush, Tara Zubrod

Gift Bearers: Connor Zubrod, Nora Zubrod, Knox Wentz, Kace Wentz, Malakai Kraatz

Arrangements with the Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby. Online condolences: www.funeralsbyanderson.com

Published by The Pierce County Tribune, February 18, 2023.