Thomas W. Wenzel

Thomas W. Wenzel, age 75, of St. Germain and formerly of Oconto Falls, passed away on January 17, 2015 at Ministry St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield. He was born on October 14, 1939 in Elkhorn, WI, 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 Whitewater, where he graduated as a Warhawk in January 1966. After college, Tom worked for Chrysler Corporation in Belvidere, IL, 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 advisor 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 life long 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 down hill 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 grandson’s, Marshal and Mason; brother, Ernest (Susan) Wenzel of Bluffton, SC; mother-in-law, June Braun of Oconto Falls and brother and sister-in-laws, Tom and Diane Malcomson of Oconto Falls and Donald and Wendy Vogt of Woodstock, GA and Oconto Falls. Tom is further survived by many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Darline Umnus and brother-in-law, Wayne Umnus. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at Ascension Lutheran Church, 7937 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 Street, Marshfield, WI 54449. The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at the Marshfield Clinic Oncology Department for the loving care they gave Tom.

Thomas W. Wenzel

October 14, 1939 - January 17, 2015