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Helen Ione Williams Wentzel passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 19, 2024, surrounded by her family at Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh. 

Helen was born April 11, 1928, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Oshkosh, WI the second child of Morris and Mary (Barnes) Williams.

She graduated from Omro High School in 1946, then attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh for one year. Helen worked for the county milk testing lab. She met Bruce Wentzel through his sister Ardyth.  Helen and Bruce married on May 26, 1950, in the First Presbyterian Church of Omro.  In the early years of their marriage, they followed Bruce’s career in education to homes in Oshkosh, Wrightstown, and Berlin, before moving to the Wentzel family farm in 1956, where Helen lived nearly 70 years.

Helen was an active 73-year member of the First Presbyterian Church of Omro and served as a Deacon and Elder. She enjoyed Bible Study with Pastor Travis.

She served her community on election board, blood drives, and as a member of the Omro Women’s Service League, and County HCE. She enjoyed running a flea market and collectibles re-sale business for over 40 years. Bruce and her loved auctions.

She loved playing Sheepsheads, Rummikub, and Kings Corner and numerous family gatherings. She was a talented seamstress and created many special outfits for her family. Helen enjoyed the outdoors, bird watching from her table, ice skating and she continued to downhill ski into her 80s. She is best remembered for her gentle, nurturing spirit and her incredible devotion to her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Bruce Edward Wentzel (2011), her dear brother Lyle Williams, and her parents.

She is survived by her children and grandchildren; Bruce (Mende), their children Mende Jo and Hope; Kim (Rev. Joseph) Corbin, and their children Joshua (Katie) Corbin, Andrea (John) Corbin Muente; Brad (Jeannette) Wentzel; Bron (Becky) Wentzel and their children Anna, Mary, and Cara; and great-grandchildren, Joshua and Madeline Corbin, Trinity, Syenna, and Amiyha Muente; and sisters-in-law Phyllis Williams and Lois (Wentzel) Bidwell; and many other relatives and friends.

The family wants the thank staff of Aurora Hospital, and Dr. Jones, BrightStar Care and Mary McConnell who cared for her. 

A visitation for family and friends will be on Friday, May 24, 2024, from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 900 N. Webster Ave. Omro. A funeral service will be held on Friday at 11:00 a.m.at the church with Rev. Joseph Corbin officiating. Reception to follow at Omro Town Hall. Burial will be at Bethesda Cemetery, Ring.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be donated to the First Presbyterian Church-Omro.

Mueller Funeral Home-Winneconne is assisting the family. If you wish, please submit online condolences/memories to muellerfh.net.