Clarence A. Wenker, 96 of Melrose, passed away peacefully Dec. 24, 2024, at Cura of Melrose Care Center of Melrose in Melrose.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Dec. 31, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose with the Rev. Mitchell Bechtold officiating. Interment was in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.
Clarence Anthony Wenker was born April 16, 1928, in Greenwald, Minnesota, to Bernard and Rose (Kortenbusch) Wenker. He graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Agriculture. Clarence served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. He was united in marriage to Mary Ann Meyer Aug. 23, 1958, in Meire Grove. Clarence began working at Melrose Implement in 1956, which he later co-owned and operated with his brother, Eddie, until he retired in 1993. He enjoyed fishing, traveling and playing cards, but most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Clarence was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 1633, American Legion Post 101 and Melrose Chamber of Commerce.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann Wenker, of Melrose; children John (Bonnie) Wenker of St. Cloud, Karen (Dan) Anderson of Wyoming, Janice (Terry) Jones of Falcon Heights and Greg Wenker of Hopkins; four grandchildren Jonathan, Benjamin, Samantha and Jackelyn; step-grandchild Nicole; sister Adeline Schaefer of Burnsville; sisters-in-law Radie Wenker of Albany and Rita Mehr of Melrose; and many nieces and nephews.
Clarence was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Herbert (Dorothy) Wenker, Edmund (Tillie) Wenker, Raymond (Lorraine) Wenker, Adolph Wenker and Larry Wenker; and sisters Sylvia (Henry) Schulzetenberg, Edna (Melvin) Worms, Marie (Eddie) Schneider and Florentine (Ken) Hammer.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Melrose.
