Albert Wenz, 92, of Huron, and formerly of Alpena, died Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016, at SunQuest Heathcare Center, Huron.
His funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 1 at First United Methodist Church in Huron, with burial and military honors by the Huron Veteran’s Council at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation with family present was Wednesday, Aug. 31, from 5-7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the Welter Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Al was born on Oct. 31, 1923, in Miller to Martin and Caroline (Losing) Wenz. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in the Philippines during WWII, and after his honorable discharge, returned to South Dakota.
Al married Fern Lehr on Sept. 25, 1949, in Wessington Springs. The couple made their home and started their family on a couple of farms in Beadle County until 1964, when they purchased the grocery store in Wessington and operated Wenz Grocery. In the 1970s, they owned and operated Wenz Grocery in Woonsocket, and also owned and operated Wenz Implement in Alpena.
Al loved horses, gardening, fishing, dancing, playing cards, mechanics and attending auctions. He was a member of the United Church of Christ in Alpena, now the United Parish of Alpena.
He is survived by his three sons, Steve (Debbie) Wenz of Huron, Ryan (Barb) Wenz of Huron, and Donavin (Donna) Wenz of Red Bluff, Calif.; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one sister, Eva Vilhauer of Huron; and many nieces and nephews.
Al was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Fern of 66 years in 2015; one great-grandchild, Brooke Groenewold; five brothers; and two sisters.