Elvina Viola Wentzel

ELVINA VIOLA WENTZEL was born to Edward and Reka (Lammers) Wiese on June 29, 1920 in Pipestone, Minnesota. She was raised in Ruthton, Minnesota where she also attended school. Upon completion of her education, she worked in a caf in Ruthton. When she was 16 years, she moved to Pipestone and worked at Armor’s Produce. On July 30, 1946, she was united in marriage to Clifford Wentzel at the Methodist Church in Pipestone. Following their marriage, they lived in Pipestone. In 1966, she became employed at the Okey Cleaners. Three years later, she began working at Gannon’s Restaurant in Pipestone. In 1987, Elvina became employed at the Kings Court Motel in Pipestone. Her husband preceded her in death on July 14, 1991. After his death, she continued to work at the motel until her retirement in 1995. Elvina suffered a stroke in April, 2006, and then became a resident at the Ashton Care Center in Pipestone. When the Ashton Care Center closed, she moved into the Golden Living Center in Slayton, Minnesota. Then, on May 6, 2011, she became a resident at the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone where she died on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at the age of 92 years, five months and six days.

Elvina was a member of Peace United Methodist Church in Pipestone. She was baptized in September, 1920 in Lake Benton; and she was confirmed in 1935 in Ruthton. She was active in the United Methodist Women, and she was also active in the Pipestone Senior Center. She enjoyed raising flowers and working in her garden. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.

She is lovingly remembered by her son, David Wentzel and his wife Lois of Pipestone, Minnesota; two grandchildren, Justine Smith of Pipestone, Minnesota and Chad Wentzel of Eagan, Minnesota; and four great-grandchildren, Ian Wentzel, Brandon Smith, Zachary Smith and Maddie Wentzel. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; three brothers, Leonard, Walter, and Norman Wiese; and five sisters, Ida Stephens, Annie Wiese, Mabel Zarn, Sophie Harkema, and Mary Wollmuth.