Thomas W. Wenzel, 75, of St. Germain, and formerly of Oconto Falls, passed away on Jan. 17, 2015, at Ministry St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield.
He was born on Oct. 14, 1939, in Elkhorn, the son of Alfred and Anne (nee Walker) Wenzel.
Tom attended 3rd Ward Elementary School and graduated from Lake Geneva High School in 1957. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Lake Geneva and a member of the Saints Car Club, where he was able to show his pride for his ‘55 Chevy.
Tom was a member of the Schroeder’s Resort Club on Lake Como (and still had the card to prove it). After high school, he went on to join the Army. Upon being honorably discharged from the Army, Tom attended college at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he graduated as a Warhawk in January 1966.
After college, Tom worked for Chrysler Corporation in Belvidere, Illinois, where he was in charge of scheduling production control. In the fall of 1966, Tom was hired by Oconto Falls Public Schools. He was a social studies teacher, served as assistant principal and was a class adviser throughout the years. He also coached football and freshman basketball. In 1973, Tom was the recipient of the Outstanding Young Educator Award in Oconto Falls.
On June 21, 1969, Tom married Connie Braun in Oconto Falls. Tom and Connie purchased a resort in St. Germain on Little St. Germain Lake in 1978 and named it Wenzel’s Resort. They taught school and ran the resort in the summer and in 1995 retired full time up north. Over the 23 adventurous years of owning the resort, Tom and Connie developed many lasting friendships with their guests.
Tom was an avid, lifelong golfer. He was a member of the St. Germain Golf Course since 1993 and served on the St. Germain Golf Course Committee since its inception. He was a member of the Northwoods Ski Touring Association, was a member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and also served on the local committee.
Tom truly enjoyed living in the Northwoods. He was often found hunting, skiing (both downhill and cross-country), snowshoeing, biking and hiking the trails of surrounding counties.
He is survived by his loving wife, Connie Wenzel; son, Michael (Michelle) Wenzel, of Appleton; Grandpa Big Tree’s favorite grandsons, Marshal and Mason; brother, Ernest (Susan) Wenzel, of Bluffton, South Carolina; mother-in-law, June Braun, of Oconto Falls; and brothers- and sisters-in-law, Tom and Diane Malcomson, of Oconto Falls, and Donald and Wendy Vogt, of Woodstock, Georgia, and Oconto Falls. Tom is further survived by many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Darline Umnus, and brother-in-law, Wayne Umnus.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015, at Ascension Lutheran Church, 7937 State Highway 51, Minocqua, with a gathering one hour prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Thomas Wenzel’s name to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, 611 W. Doege St., Marshfield, WI 54449.
Bolger Funeral and Cremation Services is assisting the family, 715-356-3200.
Visit www.bolgerfuneral.com to share condolences.
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