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Obituary for Alice E. Wenthe
Alice Echo Wenthe, 84, resident of Frederic, WI died Monday, January 25, 2010 at the Willow Ridge Nursing Home in Amery.
Alice was born on May 2, 1925 the daughter of Phil Minnie Newcomb. She was the sister of Merle, Lavern, Henry, Lucille, Beryl, Butch.
Alice graduated from Strawberry Point, IA in 1944. She attended Upper Iowa University – Fayettte on a journalism scholarship. After college she taught at a one-room school. While teaching she met Robert Wenthe whom she married on December 22, 1946. To this union nine children were born: Gary, (twins) Ronald Donald, Theresa, Cynthia, Sheryl, Steven, Roberta and Kimberly.
Echo continued to teach for a short time following their marriage. On heavy snow days, Bob would take and pick her up from the school on the tractor.
In February of 1957 they purchased a farm in Frederic, WI. They gathered the 6 kids, all their belongings, chickens and cattle too, where she too began the rest of her life farming, raising kids, milking cows, gardening.
She was a strong, spiritual, self-sacrificing mother and farmer’s wife. She worked at several other jobs to help support her family: Stokley’s in Frederic, WI processing beans; in New Brighton, MN at the Ammunition Arsenal; in Hertel, WI at the Cranberry Marsh.
She loved going to town! Shopping! Going to have pie coffee! She had the most beautiful penmanship and loved to write letters to family about the daily farm family life. She always remembered birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, etc.
She helped with many chores on the farm; making hay was one that she did enjoy! Driving the tractor that is! She told us many times how “she’d rather drive tractor than do housework”.
A mother that did a lot to make sure her children, sewing, cooking, canning and baking were taken care of. (She was famous for her biscuits and canning crates of peaches before getting any rest after working all day). She made many sacrifices so her children got their yearbooks, class rings, etc. But she expected her children to complete their studies and graduate from high school. She also made sure that they attended church and completed their confirmations.
Echo loved to visit anywhere. But a trip to Iowa was the best! Just to see the relatives. She loved family! And to see her face light up just listening to all the chatting laughing when the house was full were precious moments to her. Not to mention this would be followed by Card games!!
Love of Family was her Life!
Echo is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bob; twins, Ronald and Donald; sister, Beryl; and brother, Henry.
She is survived by her Brothers, Merle Newcomb of Vancouver, WA, Lavern Newcomb of Post, TX and Butch Newcomb of Clear Lake, WI; Sister, Lucille (Robert) Partridge of Maynard, IA; Sons, Gary Wenthe of Clam Falls, WI and Steven (Patzy) Wenthe of Grantsburg, WI; Daughters, Terre Wenthe of Newington, CT, Cynthia (Tommy) Sparks of Fort Worth, TX, Sheryl (Marvin) Edison of Grandview Plaza, KS; Roberta (Dave) Mell of Killeen, TX; and Kimberly Killeen of Cottage Grove, MN; Grandchildren, Hans (Nancy) Wenthe, Mike (Wendy) Wenthe, John (Becka) Wenthe, Tanya (Mark) Stone, Anthony Testa, Andrea Perez, Tracy (Frenchie) Shea, Amber Anderson, Alicia Edison, Amanda Edison, Kristine (Clay) Stewart, Jessica Hom, James Killeen, Shannon Killeen and 17 Great-Grandchildren.
Funeral and interment services were held January 30th at the Clam Falls Lutheran Church in Clam Falls, WI with Rev. Gary Rokenbrodt officiating. Music was provided by soloist, Becka Wenthe and organist, Sandy Hibbs. Pallbearers were Hans Wenthe, Mike Wenthe, Robert John Wenthe, James Killeen, Mark Stone and Anthony Testa. Honorary Pallbearers were Ross Wenthe and Blake Wenthe.
Rowe Funeral Home of Frederic, WI was entrusted with arrangements.
