Lucy Edna Wenz

Lucy Edna Wenz, age 91, of Roseville, MN, and formerly of Fargo, ND, passed away peacefully at home on March 25, 2019, surrounded by family. Lucy was born in Belle Fourche, SD, on October 12, 1927, the third of six children to Paul and Edith Grubl. On May 19, 1957, she married Erwin Wenz and they were a devoted couple for well over sixty years. In June 1960, they moved to Fargo to raise their family.

Lucy attended primary school at the Upper Alkalai Creek one-room schoolhouse and completed her education at Sturgis High School. Upon graduation, she joined the United States Army Nurse Corp and served during the latter parts of WWII. She attended Black Hills State Teachers College and received her RN degree from St. John’s Hospital in Rapid City, SD. She completed her education by receiving her bachelors degree from North Dakota State University in 1978. Lucy worked in various hospitals primarily on the pediatric service and at the Veterans Hospital in Lincoln, NE, as the Assistant Chief Nurse.

After the birth of her children, Lucy volunteered extensively in the community. She taught handicapped children to swim at the “Y”, taught children what an inpatient hospital experience would be like before their admission, and established an inpatient personal care service for women. When Dakota Hospital first opened, Lucy provided volunteer nursing services.

Lucy was one of the early major donors to the Dakota Medical Foundation.

Lucy’s greatest joy was spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, and great granddaughter. She was adventurous – stepping out on the sideboard of sailboats, parasailing off the coast of Mexico, and Zumba and zip-lining while she was in her 80’s. She traveled the world with her husband, family, and friends. To all who had the good fortune to know her, Lucy was a cherished friend and a beautiful lady.

She is survived by her husband, Erwin Wenz, and faithful dog, Hildegard; her children Wendy (Peter) Benson, Susan (Philip) Prosapio, Erwin (Pam) Wenz Jr, Russell Ratliff, Karen Ratliff; her five grandchildren Chris (Rachel) Benson, Lauren (Patrick) Kieliszewski, Luci (Andrew) Prosapio, Allie Benson, Philip (Natasha) Prosapio; great granddaughter Sylvia; siblings Dorothy, Paul (Audy), Teresa; and numerous dearly loved extended family and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Donna and Marie.

Please send memorials to the Lucy E. Wenz RN NDSU Class of ’78 Scholarship Endowment, P.O. Box 5144, Fargo, ND 58105.