Arnold Walter “Bud” Wenzel, 90, Hardwick, died Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015, at the Pipestone County Hospice House in Pipestone.
A funeral service was Saturday, Oct. 31, at Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick with burial at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Arnold Wenzel was born Nov. 26, 1924, to Karl Gustav and Frieda (Ahrendt) Wenzel in Denver Township, Rock County. He was baptized on March 15, 1925, at Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick and was confirmed there on Aug. 6, 1939. He attended country school through the eighth grade.
On June 30, 1948, Bud married Jessie Ellefson at the Rose Dell Lutheran Country Church east of Jasper. The couple lived and worked the farm while raising their four children. In addition to his career in agriculture Bud worked for the Blue Mound Inn & Catering Service and the Farmers Union Co-op Oil Co. He retired from farming in May 2004.
Bud was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick where he served as an elder, trustee, janitor and Lutheran Laymen's League officer at the Zone and Zion level. He enjoyed woodcarving and was a member of the Blue Mound Woodcarvers. He also enjoyed bowling, dartball, gardening, puzzles and fishing. Bud enjoyed helping remodel the homes of family members and attending his grandchildren’s ballgames. He took pride in maintaining his big farmyard. In his spare time he also cut blocks for the quilters at church.
Bud is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jessie; four children, Dean (Linda) Wenzel and Paulette (Randy) Richters, all of Luverne, Richard (Deb) Wenzel, Garretson, South Dakota, and Patricia (David) Swenson, Beaver Creek; seven grandchildren, Robert (Bronwyn) Wenzel, Jennifer (Donald) Luitjens, Dylan and Jessica Richters, all of Luverne, Joey (Randi) Wenzel, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Dustin (Kayla) Richters, Brainerd, Devin (Elizabeth) Richters, Dell Rapids, South Dakota; six great-grandchildren, Mason and Madilyn Wenzel, Elle Richters, Jaxon Richters and Kyia and Riley Wenzel; a brother, Russell (Doris) Wenzel, Luverne; and a sister-in-law, Lois Wenzel of Hastings.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Raymond, Lester and Alvin; a sister, Arlene; a son, Robert James; and a sister-in-law, Dorothy Wenzel.
Memorials may be directed to the Lutheran Hour ministries or hospice of donor’s choice.
Arrangements were by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne. www.hartquistfuneral.com.
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Arnold Wenzel
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