Jack Wenger

Funeral services for Jack Wenger were held on Monday, October 3, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. John Lutheran Church in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Marcus Ring officiating. Music was provided by Geoff Smith, soloist, accompanied by Melanie Hannahs, organist. Lisa Thieman and Rhonda Waterbury were in charge of registration, and flower attendants were Pat Cerny, Jennifer Keegan, Barb Drees, and Machelle Seeley. Casket bearers were Al Cerny, Ken Cerny, Daniel Krueger, Bryan Nelson, Mark Eklund, and Rod Frank. Honorary casket bearers were David (Frog) Green, Rod Hlavka, Bruce Finzen, Greg Drees, Tom Waterbury, Rick Messerschmidt, Jack Clark, Kirby Kruse, Doug Shepperd, Kevin Schwartz, Alex Hamilton, Austin Hamilton, Justin Keegan, Bud Jacobsen, Brad Kruse, Gregory Warren, and Brad Kahler.

Burial was in the Olive Branch Cemetery in Mills, NE. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Jack Allen Wenger was born November 26, 1949, in Ainsworth, NE, to Norman and Lorraine (Donason) Wenger. Jack was baptized at Grace Lutheran Church in Burton, NE, and was later confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Jameson, NE.

Growing up on the north side of the Keya Paha River, Jack and his siblings went to the Mills District #3 School House. Jack rode his family horses; at times, he would even ice skate down the river to the Mills Bridge on his walk to school. He spent his summers putting up hay and participating in 4-H, actively involved with livestock. Jack attended Gregory High School, graduating in 1968. Jack was musically talented; throughout school, he sang in high school choir, acted in a few plays, enjoyed playing football, and taught himself to play his guitar. Jack moved back home to the family farm in Mills, NE, after studying at Denver Automotive Technological College in Colorado, graduating in 1969.

Jack farmed more than 20 years on the Donason Homestead where he began his love for farming and ranching, custom farming for neighbors, and looking after his own dairy farm. Jack sustained a family with his wife, the late Gloria Stevicks. They wed on March 11, 1972. To this union, three children were born: Jack (Jackson) Allen, Jr., Shelby Lynn, and Jerrod Norman.

While Jack was on the family farm, he and his brothers, Mark and Steve, played fast pitch softball for their community team, 4-Corners, with surrounding neighbors in the area. Jack excelled as one of the top fast pitchers in the region. Being a well-known softball pitcher, Jack was frequently asked to play for other teams.

In the early 90s, Jack worked alongside his brother Mark for a bit before moving to Gregory, SD, where he worked as an associate at Runnings before working for the City of Gregory for almost 18 years. During this time, Jack married Valerie Kolbe on July 3, 1999. They welcomed two daughters: Lindsey Nicole and Haley Rae.

He continued his love for sports, playing slow pitch softball for the Carlock Coons. Jack was a bowler, accomplishing a 300 game and attending many national tournaments with his buddies. Jack enjoyed many years of playing golf in Gregory and Burke with his friends and family. He also played baseball for the Gregory Town Team, was an avid fan of all Nebraska Huskers, enjoyed fishing, gardening, and completing puzzles and besides being a baseball, softball, and t-ball umpire for many years. Jack served as a Gregory volunteer firefighter for 15 years, and was a football and basketball referee for several years before reaching (semi) retirement. Jack had just bought a fishing boat, looking forward to connecting with to his roots of fishing with friends and family, especially his Uncle George and his future son-in-law, Israel.

Jack was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February of 2021. He had just completed his nine-week journey of radiation treatment in Sioux Falls, SD, on August 16, 2022. Throughout his treatment, he did his best to stay positive and be active in the lives of his children.

Jack Wenger passed away unexpectedly on September 27, 2022, while in Sioux Falls, SD, at the age of 72.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, sister Debra Lauer, brother Stephen Wenger, nephew Scott Wenger, aunt Arlene Kuechler, and furry friend, Carter.

He is survived by three daughters: Shelby and Allan Bertram of Sioux Falls, SD; Lindsey Wenger and Israel Perez of Sioux Falls, SD; Haley Wenger and Dylan Borszich of Aberdeen, SD; two sons: Jackson and LeAnn Wenger of Rapid City, SD; and Jerrod and Cassidy Wenger of Rapid City, SD; ten grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one sister, Judy and Mark Moebeck of Webster Groves, MO; one brother, Mark and Teresa Wenger of Mills, NE; a sister-in-law, Kathy Wenger of Mills, NE; one uncle, George Wenger of Gregory, SD; a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins; a countless number of friends; and his puppy, Panda.