Rheta Wenzel

RHETA ANNE WENZEL

Cedar Rapids

Rheta Anne Wenzel, 78, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday morning, Oct. 13, 2017. Celebration of Life services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW. Luncheon will follow the service. Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Brosh Chapel.

Rheta is survived by her husband of 57 years, Wayne

Wenzel; three children, Jeff Wenzel (Julie) of Springville, Doug Wenzel (Lori) of Iowa City and Marcia Redden (Rodger) of Williamsburg; and nine grandchildren, Thomas, Kathleen, James, Matthew, Karl, Piper, Jack, Alex and Lindsey. She also is survived by her brothers, Bill Mumm, Vernon Mumm and Eddie Mumm; and her sisters, Miona Marie Johnson, Darlene Schuller and Marilyn Vosdingh.

Preceding Rheta in death were her parents; her sisters, Wynette Burger and Carol Mumm-Maresh Phelps; and her brother, Duane Mumm.

Rheta was born Sept. 13, 1939, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, the fourth of 10 children of Lester and Miona (Probst) Mumm. She graduated from Walford High School in 1958. She was united in marriage to Wayne Wenzel on Jan. 30, 1960, at St. Paul Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids. Rheta was employed at Square D Co., where she met her husband, Wayne. She also worked for many years at Roosevelt Junior High School and John F. Kennedy High School.

Rheta and Wayne shared a strong Christian faith. She had a great knowledge of flowers and birds and had a gift for creating beautiful flower gardens in the backyard of their home where they lived for over 50 years. She loved decorating her home for all the holidays. Christmas was her favorite, and she turned her home into a wonderland for her grandchildren to enjoy. She orchestrated gatherings for her immediate family and her large family of brothers and sisters. She also was an excellent cook and baker, which was an activity she loved to share with her grandchildren.

Most of all, Rheta excelled at being an exceptionally devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She was selfless in her dedication to her family. Each of those she loved was better having had her in their lives. Her mischievous sense of humor and love for people made her a joy to be around. There were always smiles and laughter when she was present.

Memorial donations may be directed to the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library.

The family would like to thank St. Luke's Hospital, Mercy Medical Center and Ken Cearlock, M.D., for their compassionate and exceptional care.

Please feel welcome to leave a message or condolence to the Wenzel family on the Brosh Chapel website: www.broshchapel.com.