Alice Wenzel
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FREEPORT – Alice May Wenzel, 90, of Freeport, died Friday, Jan. 29, 2010, at FHN Memorial Hospital, Freeport.
Born Jan. 23, 1920, at home in Kingdom in Lee County, the daughter of William A. and Lena C. (Schumacher) Morris. On Jan. 22, 1950, she married Walter B. Wenzel at Kingdom Evangelical United Brethren Church near Dixon. He preceded her in death in August 1998.
Alice grew up between Dixon and Grand Detour. She graduated from Dixon High School in 1938 and received her teaching certificate from Northern Illinois State Teachers College (now Northern Illinois University in 1940. She further studied at University of Denver, and participated in geography field trips for 2 summers through Illinois State University.
She taught in one-room schools in Lee and Ogle counties (Riverside and Teal’s Corner), and at North Central School, Dixon, before moving to the Winslow area after marriage. There, she farmed with her husband and taught at Winslow Grade School. After moving to Freeport with her husband in 1977, she baby-sat and became a “grandma” to neighborhood children.
Alice was a lifelong active church member. She belonged to Faith United Methodist Church, Freeport, the fellowship class of the church for the last 33 years, a Sunday school teacher, and played the piano for children’s classes for 25 years.
She loved spending time with her family, traveling to new places (she had visited 48 of the 50 states), reading, crocheting, doing crossword puzzles, playing games, listening to music, and working on family genealogy.
Her many family members and friends will fondly remember her thoughtful letters, and her delicious pecan rolls and Dutch apple pies.
She is survived by her son, Alan (Julie) Wenzel of Freeport; two daughters, Janet (Daniel) Lepp of Rock Island and Mary (Rick) Schneider of Freeport; and six grandchildren, Aaron Wenzel of Beloit, Wis., Matthew Wenzel of Chicago, Sarah Lepp of Austin, Texas, Ryan Lepp of Champaign, Anne Schneider of Urbana, and Amy Schneider of Freeport.
She also was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, John and Laurence Morris.
Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Faith United Methodist Church, Freeport, with the Rev. John W. Lee officiating.
Graveside service and burial will be at 2:30 p.m. at Lighthouse Cemetery, rural Oregon.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the church.
Arrangements were completed by Walker Mortuary, Freeport.
A memorial has been established.
Visit www.walkermortuary.com to send condolences.
