Erna Wenz

Funeral Services for Erna Wenz, 96, of Baker, MT will be at 11:00 a. m. on Wednesday, February 17, 2010, at the Baker Community Church in Baker with Rev. Mark D. Arnold officiating. Interment will follow in Bonnievale Cemetery at Baker. Visitation will be 2:00 p. m. to 9:00 p. m. on Tuesday, February 16th, at Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker. Erna Passed away on Saturday, February 13, 2010, at Quality Personal Care in Baker, MT. Erna Krueg Wenz was born to John and Magdalena (Schaefer) Krueg at their homestead south of Plevna on February 2, 1914. Her father died in the 1918 flu epidemic so her mother moved the family into Plevna where Erna attended school. She enjoyed playing girls high school basketball and talked of trips on the train to attend games in Mildred and Ismay. After graduating from high school in 1931, she worked as a housekeeper for a year to earn money to go to college. Erna graduated with a teaching certificate from Normal School in Billings (Now Montana State University ? Billings) and taught at the Dry Fork School north of Westmore, the Prairie Park School south of Plevna and at the Plevna grade school. Erna married Karl Wenz on December 27, 1936, and they continued to live in Plevna in the early years of their marriage. In 1946 they moved 15 miles north of Baker where they leased a farm until they purchased their own farmland in 1949. There were no schools close by, and since their oldest son was of school age, they moved back to Baker. In addition to their farming operation, they owned and operated the Mobile Bulk Plant and the Mobile and Standard service stations in Baker. Erna went to work at the courthouse in 1960 as a secretary in the Sheriff?s department and later became the deputy county assessor. She was elected to the position of Treasurer and worked for Fallon County until she retired in 1976. Erna was baptized in the Emmanuel Congregational Church at Plevna and later became a member of the Community Church of Baker where she was very active and served on various church boards. The church was very important to Erna and she was and excellent Sunday school teacher. She loved having her family near and was a wonderful cook, making homemade noodles, kuchen, knepla and many other wonderful dishes. Seldom would you see Erna without a book in her hand and she loved reading. She also enjoyed completing crossword puzzles, playing bridge, bowling, crocheting, gardening and canning. She is survived by her three sons: Warren (Sue) Wenz of Great Falls, MT; Douglas (Randi) Wenz of Baker, MT; Bradley (Shari) Wenz of Augusta, MT; Five grandchildren: Damon (Misty) Wenz of Billings, MT; Jennifer Wenz of Centennial, CO; Thomas (Reno) Wenz of Denver, CO; Timothy Krueg Wenz of Kalispell, MT; Keli (Adam) McQuiston of Missoula, MT and four great-grand children: Carsen Wenz of Denver, CO; Kane McQuiston of Missoula, MT; Brooke and Hailey Wenz of Billings, MT. Erna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 61 years, Karl; sisters, Magdalena Hepperle and Helen Ruff. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Quality Personal Care and Baker Community church.


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Burial Date: February 17, 2010
Funeral Home Baker, MT

Funeral Service: Wednesday, Baker Community Church, Baker, MT