George Wenger

Funeral services for George Wenger were held on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Grace Lutheran Church in Burton, NE, with Pastor Bill Serr officiating.

Music was provided by Sandra Heerten, organist, and great-great nieces and nephews, vocalists. Lindsey Perez and Haley Borszich were in charge of registration.

Casket bearers were Mark Wenger, Ben Wenger, Jackson Wenger, Jeff Wenger, Taylor Wenger, and Jerrod Wenger. Honorary casket bearers were Wes Schell, Eric Putnam, Bruce Ritterbush, and Scott Ritterbush.

Interment was in the Powhattan Cemetery in Powhattan, KS, on Monday, August 26, 2024. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

George Edmonds Wenger was born September 8, 1933, at Horton, KS, to Paul and Alta (Williams) Wenger. He was baptized September 29, 1933, at Zion Lutheran Church in Powhattan, KS.

He joined sisters Pauline and Wanda, and brother Norman. They grew up on a farm in Kansas. He was a special child, being born with a mental disability. Consequently, his schooling was cut short, so his learning came from his parents who raised him in a loving, Christian home.

George got his love of fishing from an uncle that would take him. Eventually, George’s dad took him to a Christian facility in Wisconsin. When that didn’t work out, he was taken to Bethphage Mission in Axtell, NE. His mom worked at Bethphage, and his dad worked in Holdrege. Here George learned to work and take responsibility, as the Mission had dairy cows, which he fed in the morning at milking time. He also learned to do projects in the wood shop and work in the garden, along with other chores.

George became well acquainted with the people in the little town of Axtell. He had a lawnmower and a rake which he stored at a gas station and was able to have his own business. George was allowed to ride his bicycle to the nearby town of Minden to go shopping.

In the late 1970’s, it was determined that George should be transitioned to a facility that gave him more independence. By then, his father had passed away and his mother was living in her home in Horton, KS.

George had been spending a month or so in the fall with his brother, Norman, and family. When Norm left the ranch to enter the ministry, along with his wife Lorraine and their family, he asked his son Steve and wife Kathy to continue the fall visits to the farm for George. In 1982, it just seemed like the right thing to do was to move him to the ranch at Mills, where he soon had his own little house. He enjoyed fishing, cutting wood, mowing the lawn, and moving bales.

George had a strong faith in the Lord and attended church with his family. He made many friends in the Mills/Springview community, as well as in Gregory, SD. Of course his annual fish fry didn’t hurt either. It gave him great joy to be able to share and give to others.

George passed away on August 19, 2024, at the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center in Gregory, SD, at the age of 90.

George is survived by four nephews; five nieces; a multitude of great nieces and nephews; and many friends.