Wenzel M. Andersen

WENZEL M. ANDERSEN, age 90 of Waseca formerly of Clarkfield, Minnesota, passed away on Friday, June 4, 2010 at Colony Court in Waseca.

Born on February 23, 1920 in Lafayette, Minnesota, Wenzel was the son of Carl Wilhelm and Mabel Josephine (Abrahamson) Andersen.  He attended school in Lafayette before enlisting with the United States Army.  He attended basic training at Fort Warren in Cheyenne, WY and was then deployed overseas in September of 1943.  Wenzel served in England, France, Belgium, and Germany.  He was training to go to the Pacific with the 82nd Airborne when the war ended.  Wenzel received his honorable discharge as Sergeant Tech. 4 in October of 1945 at Camp McCoy, WI and was awarded the Silver Star later in his life.  Wenzel was united in marriage to Elaine A. Oelke on December 26, 1948 at St. Peter "Bell" Lutheran Church.  He worked as a Game Warden for the state of Minnesota from June of 1948 until his promotion to become Area Supervisor of Wardens in 1968.  After many further years of service, Wenzel retired in 1985. Wenzel enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening, and following his retirement he also began woodcarving.  He was a member of the American Legion in Clarkfield, and both the VFW and Disabled American Veterans in Granite Falls.  He had been a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Clarkfield for many years, and transferred his membership to Trinity Lutheran Church-Wilton when he and his wife moved to Waseca.

Wenzel is survived by his wife, Elaine of Waseca; one son, Robert (Marie) Andersen of Waseca; one grandson, James (Heather) Andersen of New Ulm; one granddaughter Amy; and one great-grandson, Brandon Andersen of Marshall, MN.  He is also survived by one sister, Virginia Roemhildt of Elysian; and one sister-in-law, Marguerite Andersen of Fairfield Glade, TN.  He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Fern and her husband Delford Moerke; one brother, Carl "Ted" Andersen; and one brother-in-law, Ervie Roemhildt.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at Trinity Lutheran Church-Wilton with Rev. Glenn Korb officiating.  Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00AM until the time of the service on Wednesday.  A private family interment will follow at Sakatah Cemetery in Waterville.