Wilma Irene Wenck

Wilma Irene (Hanson) Wenck, was born on January 27, 1927, in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, to Wilford and Effie (Torkelson) Hanson. She was raised in the First Lutheran Church in Sioux Rapids where she was baptized and confirmed. After graduating from Sioux Rapids High School in 1945, she worked at the telephone office in Spencer, Iowa. 

On April 8, 1947, Wilma was united in marriage to Kenneth Wenck in her pastor’s home. Wilma and Kenny moved to Cherokee County in 1951 where they farmed and raised their family until they moved to Cherokee in 1968. Wilma was a homemaker and worked in the liquor store as a clerk for six years. Wilma attended an oil painting class and in the years following created many works now displayed in the homes of her family members. She enjoyed playing bridge, refinishing furniture, playing the piano and fishing. Wilma was an avid reader and always had a book around. Her last weekly trip to the library was the Thursday before she passed away.  She was hard working, independent, spunky, feisty, and a true character.  She loved her family and friends.

On Tuesday, November 5, 2019, Wilma passed away at her home in The Gardens Assisted Living in Cherokee, having reached the age of 92 years, 9 months, and 8 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Kenneth Wenck on August 10, 2003, her sister Phyllis Coulter, her brother and his wife, Roger and Lois Hanson, brothers Wayne Hanson and Julius Hanson, and one grandson, Michael Wenck. The family asks memorials be directed to Cherokee Public Library. 

Wilma is survived by her six children: Kirk (Marlyce) Wenck of Danville, IN; Kent (Cheryle) Wenck; Michael Wenck; Patty (Jeff) Brown; Karen (Kim) Aduddell; and Andrea (Richard) Cook all of Cherokee; her grandchildren: Kallie (Dave) Morrow, Kyle Wenck, Bryan Wenck, Matt (Tamara) Wenck, Holly (Steve) Bogue, Josh (Breanna) Wenck, Kristen (Matt) Simonsen, Carrie (Mike) Smith, Lacy (Jim) Healy, Chad (Jillian) Brown, Haley (Robert) Stomp, Luke (Megan) Aduddell, Katherine (Curtis) Ward and Emily (Jakob) Hummel; 29 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson; brother Calvin (Dee) Hanson of Estes Park, CO, brother-in-law Roy Coulter of Loveland, CO, and sister-in-law Ardyce Hanson of Newell, Iowa; many other relatives and friends. 

Memorial services will be at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, November 8th at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Cherokee.

Pastor Cristian Decious

Visitation will be after 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 7th at the funeral home. The family will be present from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.

Oak Hill Cemetery, Cherokee