Mary Ann Wente 1932 - 2016

WENTE, DAVEY, KNERL

Posted By: Connie J Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/22/2016 at 22:24:07

Sioux City Journal
19 April 2016

SIOUX CITY | Mary Ann Wente, 83, of Sioux City, passed away Saturday, April 16, 2016, at a nursing facility.

Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Cathedral of The Epiphany, with the Rev. William J. Vit Jr. officiating. Burial will be in South Creek Cemetery in rural Ponca, Neb. Visitation with family present will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with a rosary at 6 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be offered at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Mary Ann, daughter of Orin and Bonnie (Davey) Knerl, was born May 23, 1932, in Sioux City. She grew up in Ponca. She graduated from Briar Cliff College in Sioux City with a degree in elementary education.

On July 27, 1957, Mary Ann married Thomas Wente in Ponca. They had 11 children. Mary Ann and Tom were longtime residents of Sioux City.

Mary Ann was a kindergarten teacher's aide at Blessed Sacrament Grade School for many years.

Mary Ann was a member of Cathedral of the Epiphany. She was active in Birthright, Blue Army and The Carmelite Board, and as a Eucharistic minister and religious education teacher.

She will be lovingly remembered for her delicious pies, potato salad, her beautiful smile and wonderful sense of humor.

Survivors include her husband, Tom Wente of Sioux City; 10 children, Tim (Marites) Wente of Houston, Texas, Joe Wente of California, Ann (Dan) Myers of Sioux City, Ellen (Dave) Dirks of Sioux City, Janie (Steve) Christensen of Okoboji, Iowa, Jackie (Joe) Carey of Ankeny, Iowa, T.J. (Jody) Wente of Dakota Dunes, Maria (Doug) Maharry of Newton, Iowa, Meg (Trent) Eckstaine of Le Mars, Iowa, and Liz (Trent) Wente of Sioux City; several grandchildren, Sarah and Adrian Wente, Laura (Fred) Sulzbach, Tom (Reyn) Myers, Audrey (John) Cord, Tony and Abbey Myers, Joey, Emily and Katie Manning, Grace (Tyler) Smith, Nick Christensen, Ben (Leah) Carey, Erin (Bridgett) Carey, T.J. II, Jacob, Sam and Rachel Wente, Olivia, Paul, Adam, Luke and Sophia Maharry, Chris, Mary Kate, Jack, Gabriel and Caleb Eckstaine, and Claire Nessman; four great-grandchildren; brother, Phil (Pat) Knerl of Ponca; and sister, JoEllen (Bill) Treinen of Sioux City.

She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son, John; brothers, Jack (Betty) Knerl, Bob (Norma) Knerl and Jerry (Margaret) Knerl; a sister, Bonnie Beth Knerl; a grandson, Michael Lewis Wente; and her favorite aunt, Florence Davey.

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to Birthright, Carmelite Monastery, Cathedral of the Epiphany, Briar Cliff University, Bishop Heelan High School or Holy Spirit Retirement Home.

Mary Ann's family thanks Holy Spirit Retirement Home, Touchstone Healthcare Community and Hospice of Siouxland for the wonderful last moments shared with Mary Ann.