Gene Wente
Saturday, May 24, 1924
Date of Death:
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Age:
89 years old
Visitation
Date: Wednesday February 19, 2014
Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Thursday February 20, 2014
Time: 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Location: St. Pius X Catholic Church [ view map ]
Funeral Mass
Date: Thursday February 20, 2014
Time: 10:30 am
Location: St. Pius X Catholic Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Calvary Cemetery [ view map ]
Saturday, May 24, 1924
Date of Death:
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Age:
89 years old
Saturday, May 24, 1924
Date of Death:
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Age:
89 years old
Gene Wente
The funeral mass for Eugene Edward Wente will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 20th, 2014 at St. Pius Church in Rochester, MN with Reverend Paul Nelson officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester with Military Honors provided by American Legion Post 92. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home Wednesday, February 19th and one hour prior to the funeral services.
Gene passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Maple Manor Nursing Home Sunday after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Gene was born May 24th, 1924 to Aloysius and Anna (Bergfeld) Wente in Moose Lake, MN. Growing up he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and sports graduating from Moose Lake High School in 1942. He attended the College of St. Thomas in the fall and entered the Navy V-12 program in December of 1942. Following an honorable discharge in 1946 he returned from the South Pacific to St. Thomas to earn a degree in Teaching and Physical Education. While attending St. Thomas Gene met Margaret “Peggy” Dandois, whom he married on August 7, 1948 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Gene and Peggy moved to Rochester in 1948 where he took a teaching job with Lourdes High School under Father Albert Perrizo. A full-time teacher for over 30 years, Gene also started the Track Program at Lourdes and organized the first junior high athletic programs in Rochester. After completing his Master’s Degree in Education in 1950, Gene coached the team to 6 consecutive state track and field championships.
As Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus, Gene started the annual KC track meet in 1956 and organized the first science fair held in the Catholic Schools. He received the prestigious “Teacher of the Year” Award in 1960 and was inducted into the Lourdes Hall of Fame in 2010. Prior to his illness, Gene was an avid fisherman, enjoyed watching team sports, and playing pool and cards with friends.
Gene is survived by his wife Peggy of 65 years, 11 children, Stephen (Nancy) of Connecticut, Susan (Ted) Johnson of Rochester, Tim (Lori) of Minnesota, John (Ann) of Colorado, Marianne (Patrick) Newell of Colorado, Mike (Vicki) of Wisconsin, Maggie (Bill) McGillicuddy of Illinois, Geno (Sandy) of Rochester, Erich of Wisconsin, Mikki of Colorado, and Patrick (Claudia) of Kentucky, 14 grandchildren; one brother, Dr. Harold (Elaine) Wente of Rochester and one sister, Maxine Closner of Northfield.
In lieu of flowers, memorials should be directed to St. Pius Church, Lourdes High School, or to the charity of your choice.
Condolences
The family of Gene Wente has received the following condolences.
Dear Mike and Family, We just now heard about the loss of your Dad. We are so sorry. Fond memories of your Dad during our time at LHS. Our prayers are with you all. Peace, Annie and Todd Young
Dear Wente Family,
I just read of the death of your father. While I didn't have the pleasure of taking a class from Gene, I of course knew him and enjoyed his quiet and stabilizing presence at Lourdes during my time there. I got to know him better during our years working at Assisi Heights. He was a painter while I was on grounds crew, and we also painted together for a while. I enjoyed his wry wit and gentle spirit very much.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of loss. You are a large, loving family and I am sure you have countless wonderful memories of Gene to cherish and buoy you for the rest of your lives.
Gene was quiet, wise, kind, and humorous. A fairly tough science teacher, as I recall. And the heart and soul of Lourdes High, and Lourdes track, which he helped make so fun and memorable.
We've lost another great one. God bless Gene and his family and friends - which, of course, are legion. Prayers and sweet memories coming up from Iowa!
Geno,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Tina Schlotfeldt
Mike, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this hard time. May your dad be at peace and all his pain be gone. Thinking of you, Take care and remember all your good times with your day :)
Brenda & Scott Y
My sincere sympathy to the whole Wente family.
Tim and siblings, your dad left a great legacy in all of you and at LHS
Blessings,
Mary Heydon Balow
LHS - 1971
Dear Maggie, Geno, and other family members-
Please know I am thinking of all you during this sad time. I had the pleasure of being taught by your father in Science classes and in the Science Club at Lourdes - a very smart man and always so kind.
My deepest and most caring thoughts are with all of you .
Most Sincerely, Sharon Varsoke
My very sincere sympathy.
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss...our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Love, Mike, RaeAnn,Katie and Josh Piotrowski Bolingbrook, IL
Our thoughts are with you all in Rochester. There are not many pursuits greater in life than family and education, and Gene was a master at both.
Our deepest sympathy goes out to the entire Wente Family. We are out of state and unable to attend the serice. We will be with you in spirit.
Jim & Barb