Dr. Harold (Hal) A. Wente

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Tuesday, August 29, 1922
Date of Death:
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Age:
92 years old

Visitation

Date: Friday February 27, 2015
Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]

Second Visitation

Date: Saturday February 28, 2015
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Location: Co-Cathedral of St. John The Evangelist [ view map ]

Funeral Mass

Date: Saturday February 28, 2015
Time: 11:00 am

Location: Co-Cathedral of St. John The Evangelist [ view map ]

Burial

Location: Calvary Cemetery [ view map ]

KTTC story and Post Bulletin Article about Dr. Harold (Hal) A. Wente

CLICK HERE FOR KTTC STORY CLICK HERE FOR POST BULLETIN ARTICLE

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Tuesday, August 29, 1922
Date of Death:
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Age:
92 years old
Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Tuesday, August 29, 1922
Date of Death:
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Age:
92 years old

Dr. Harold (Hal) A. Wente

A funeral Mass for Dr. Harold A. Wente will be held 11:00AM, Saturday, February 28, 2015 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Rochester with Rev. John Lasuba officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00PM on Friday, February 27, 2015 at the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and also one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester.

Dr. Wente, 92, died at Madonna Towers of natural causes.

He was born August 29, 1922 in Moose Lake, Minnesota. He graduated from St. Thomas University and the University of Minnesota Medical School. At the U of M, Hal met the love of his life; Mary Elaine Daly and married her at St. John’s Church in Rochester on June 16, 1945. They started their family in San Francisco as he served in the Army as a Transport Surgeon, aboard the US Hospital Ship Comfort and numerous army transport ships.

In 1949 he returned to Rochester and began a solo medical practice that eventually grew into the Olmsted Medical Center. He served as President of the Olmsted Medical Center for many years. During that time he served on the Minnesota State Board of Health, the Minnesota Academy of General Practice, the American Group Practice Association and the Mayo Medical School Admissions Committee.

Survivors include his wife, Elaine, of 70 years, his sister, Maxine Closner of Northfield; sister-in-law, Margaret (Peg) Wente and his children, Sr. Anne Wente, RSCJ of San Diego, CA; Mary Wente (Paula Bank) of La Crosse, WI; Barbara Wente of St. Paul, MN; Kevin (Colleen) Wente of Rochester; Thomas (Ellen) Wente of Rochester; Elissa (Mike) Zeman of Wayzata, MN; Teresa (Dave) Bridges of Shoreview, MN; son-in-law Gregory Green of Menomonie, WI seventeen grandchildren, Erin Wente, Jeremiah (Nicole) Wente, Elizabeth (Josh) Bull, Kathryn Wente, Maureen (Ryan) Thomas, Matthew Green, Madeline (Christian) Ray, Joseph Wente, William Wente, Anne Wente, Timothy Wente, Alexander Zeman, Eleanor Zeman, Gregory Zeman, Karl Bridges, Jack Bridges and Eleanor Bridges; and ten great-grandchildren, Eleanor Wente, Lauren Wente, Daly Wente, Thomas Wente, Liam Thomas, Connor Thomas, Gavin Thomas, Ronan Thomas and Oliver Ray. He was preceded in death by his daughter Kathleen Green and his brother, Eugene (Margaret) Wente.

Hal was a man of extraordinary vision and energy, which he brought to both his personal and professional life. He had a sense of adventure and curiosity that shaped almost everything he did. He was an innovator in every aspect of his life from the formation of the Medical Group to the everyday experiences he created for his family. Hal was an incredible storyteller; but there was no story more interesting than his own which he and Elaine captured in a book for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He encountered an endless number of fascinating people and wonderful friends throughout his life and he was quick to embrace them. Hal was strong in his faith, from Newman Center leadership at the U of M, to his ardent support of his St., John’s Parish Community and Catholic education. He was deeply blessed.

For those wishing to make a charitable contribution in Hal’s memory, the family suggests memorials to the Olmsted Medical Foundation, The Lourdes Foundation, Madonna Living Community or the donor’s choice.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com

Condolences

The family of Dr. Harold (Hal) A. Wente has received the following condolences.

MY thoughts and prayers go out to the family. A wonderful man. I remember him making house calles when I was purhaps 6 or 7 years old.

Deepest Condolences to your Family,

I was saddened to learn of your fathers passing, I know he was a great inspiration and one of my fathers oldest colleagues.  I will always remember the OMG 4th of July parties down at Silver Lake growing up as a kid, and what a great host Hal always was to the children.   May he rest in peace, and deepest sympathies to the entire family.

Andrew Campbell for Malcolm Campbell & Family

Dear Wente family. So sorry to hear of your loved one death.  We are still in Fl.so will miss the service. Gerald and Lorraine daly

Dear Family, I want to extend my sincere condolences to you. I too have lost a loved one in death. This is truly one of the hardest things any of us will ever have to cope with. May you be encouraged as I was, by our Loving Heavenly Father's promise to reunite us with our dear loved ones by means of a resurrection on a paradise earth in true peace and happiness in the very near future(Acts 24:15-Psalms 37:11,29,34). May these precious promises from God's word the Bible, bring you a measure of comfort and strength during this very difficult time. Please take care. 

I was sad to get the news of Hals passing. Sam and I send our prayers for all of you at this difficult time. We know he is forever happy now however it is still hard for family. We always enjoyed the time cleaning Hal and Elaines house because Hal always had a joke or an interesting story to tell us when we came. I remember the day he told us they were moving to the Towers, he felt bad that we could not clean for them there. He was one of the kindest, most caring Drs. I have ever known. His legacy will live on for ever.

                                                                   Our prayers and sympathy,

                                                                     Sam and Linda Anderson

Warm love and sympathy--empathy, really--from the Russell family of Sun Prairie, WI. We lost our dad July 29th and our mom September 30th, and we know this passage is huge and unsettling for all of you. So glad our parents were such good friends and that Wente-Russell connections have continued at important times over many years. Hope you'll share many good stories and happy memories and a few toasts to your dad--he lived a wonderful life.

Dear Elaine and Family. 

My deepest sympathy to all of you in your loss of your Dad.  We first met your parents when my

husband Albert joined the Olmstead Medical Clinic in 1955 for a brief time before his residency at Mayo. 

I remember so many good times with your Mom and Dad in the following years before we left Rochester

in 1960......and many visits with them when we visited Rochester in all these past years.

Albert died in  June of 2013....after practicing in Duluth all these years.

My love to all of you. Sincerely, Winnie Nisswandt

 

 

Anne,

I'm so sorry to hear of your dad's death.  What a wonderful life he had!  On my sister's wedding day in July 1972, I went to the ER at OMC with a raging strep throat. Your dad is the doc I saw.  He gave me shot of penicillin and by the time of the wedding I had started to feel better and was able to be one of her attendants.  He also told me to enjoy a glass of champagne.

Wishing you and your family peace and comfort. 

Annie Riley

First, I wish to tell you, Anne, how deeply saddened I am to hear of the passing of your dear father.  I know we spoke very recently of your parents being at Madonna Towers, where my mother is.  My mother visited your Mom and Dad often and agreed with me that they were so dear and your Dad so loving and attentive to your mother.  I am so sorry, Anne.  To your family, I know you have lost a magnificent man, one who was so central to the city of Rochester.  He provided much healing and compassion to so many people.  I know he was deeply loved by countless folks.  I send my sympathy to each of you and ask God for His healing presence for you, as you proceed through the difficult days ahead.  God Bless each of you.    With love and prayers,  Cherril Jensen Engholm

Dear Wente Family,  I send you my deepest sympathy on the death of your patriarch Dr. Hal Wente.  I was happy I had an opportunity to visit him a couple of years ago at Madonna Towers with Elissa and Elaine present, and with my sister Patty.  Hal enthralled us with his stories of his early days in Rochester, and the good times shared with our 2 families.  Hal has sent us many photos of our mother Helen and father Dick and of us as little kids, via the computer. May Hal rest in peace with our Lord.  God Bless You All,  Pam Plunkett Kyzer

By way of introduction my name is Barbara George Meany. In 1951 I was a nanny for Anne, Mary and Kevin while I was completing my second year at Rochester Community College. I only recently connected with Doctor Wente and it was such a joy! I am 84 years old and had wanted so much to see Elaine and Doctor Wente, but it did not happen. I have a picture of Anne, Mary and Kevin on your front steps on 14th Ave., S.W. and a postcard Elaine sent to me when I lived in Dallas. If having these would please you. Please let me know. I am so very sorry for your loss. What a LEGACY. Warmly, Barbara Meany

"May the Lord shine His light upon him."  Sincere and heartfelt condolences from Sr. Anne's friends and colleagues at the Ignatian Volunteer Corps San Diego.

I first met Dr. Wente in a professional capacity, but shortly I've had the good fortune to become a personal friend over the last year.  Dr. Wente was always an inspiration to me with his expansive perspective of life and his devotion to family and faith.  He often forwarded interesting emails to me which I have been able to share with others, and he provided me with one of the most insightful teachings on spiritual maturity that I have ever been challenged by.  I will miss visits with him, but I have a file of his contributions to my life that I will treasure always.

I also had the pleasure of meeting several family members, and it is obvious that Hal's legacy is being brought forward into the next generations.  May you all be blessed with grace in these days filled with remembrances, gratitude, and sadness.

Rev. Lincoln Engelbert

My love and prayers to all you Wente kids and especially to my sweet friend, Elaine................Many fond memories of all the get-togethers we have had...........Life Is Good..........May Hal rest in a heavenly peace............Sara

Was privileged to get to know Hal the last 18 months in my role as Chaplain at Madonna Living Community. Visiting him was always an enjoyable and interesting experience. His enthusiasm for living was infectious and was deeply rooted in his faith. I will miss him, but know he's finally enjoying the really deep mystery of life he explored for 92 years.

Sr. Anne Wente's Sacred Heart Associates in San Diego send their prayers and deepest sympathies to the Wente Family.

 

Elissa   It was so wonderful meeting you, your mom and your Dad.  I am so sorry for your loss.  He was a very nice man.  It is a little strange though because my mom died on Saturday also.  She was so very happy that I was able to meet your dad and mom. Things happen for a reason.  Both are now in heaven with their Lord. I keep trying to remember that this is a place that they both really wanted to go. They are both up there with family. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

There are no words adequate enough to describe the loss we feel with Dr. Wente's passing. He was a huge spirit and such an icon to our facility. We loved him dearly and we will continue to love Elaine and the entire Wente family from now until the end of time. Here's wishing your entire family much love and happy memories during these sad times!

Dear Wente and Daly Families,

Your Opa was an incredible man.  We wish for him the best in his final peace.  Grateful is the word that comes to us as we remember him.   To share the blood lines of this great family in our grandchildren (Daly and Thomas Wente) makes us proud.

Lucky & Cheryl Copps, Father of Nicole Wente - Parents In Law to Jeremiah Wente

Dear Mrs. Wente and family,

I'm saddened to see that Dr Wente died.  He was a great man who cared about people.  The story that I remember the most is that one year I had the measles oh Christmas and Dr. Wente came over in his Santa Claus costume to wish me a Merry Christmas.  I was at an age where I was pretty sure that there was no Santa Claus and I sort of recognized his voice as someone I knew, but he definitely put doubt back in my mind.  He turned a bad day into a very good one.

With deep sympathy,

Sally Pemberton Zalek

The legend of Hal will live on through all of those he met and  the many lives he touched.  To know Hal was to love Hal.  My deepest sympathy and condolences to the entire family.  Hal truly made the world a better place and was one of a kind.  May all of the lovely memories help bring you peace  in your hearts during this difficult time.

Hal's death is a very deep and personal loss for me, so I cannot imagine what you, his family is feeling. I so wanted to see him in November when I was in Rochester, after he told me he was in the med center and failing. I think he was too proud to have me see him as he was. He and Elaine always took me under their wing when I arrived back in Rochester and went to work at OMG. In some ways, I think I reminded them of Mary due to my hair and height. He was like a father to me in many ways, and I shall always be grateful to him for his mentoring, and to both your parents for their hospitality. The Wente family will always hold a special place in my heart. I have to be in Des Moines this weekend or I would be up there celebrating his wonderful life with each of you.  I shall definitely be there in spirit.

My deep sympathy, love and prayers always, Patricia

Condolences to all the Wente family.