Elaine Wentzel

Elaine Wentzel, 100 of Thief River Falls, MN passed away Sunday, November 2, 2025 at Thief River Care Center.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, November 7, 2025 at St. John Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Jeffrey Lytle officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls.

Eva "Elaine" Wentzel was born June 30, 1925 in Hamilton, ND in rural Pembina County, North Dakota to Duncan and Bethea (McIntyre) Menzies.

Elaine's RN education included a 36-month study at the Deaconess Hospital of Nursing in Grand Forks, North Dakota, some of which occurred during the polio epidemic. Her career spanned 45 years, beginning at Northwestern Clinic in Crookston, continuing as a hospital and clinical nurse at Northwestern Hospital in Thief River Falls, and concluding at Oakland Park Nursing Home, also in Thief River Falls.

Elaine married Donald F. Wentzel December 4, 1949, in Hamilton, North Dakota. The couple had 3 sons, Randy, Rod and Kent. They made their home in Crookston, Minnesota and later moved to Thief River Falls where Don continued his employment as an auto body repairman with Tunberg Motor Company.

Elaine was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, where she was a member of LWML Circle, Retired Nurses organization, the American Legion Auxiliary, and sewing club.

She enjoyed reading and sewing and watching the Minnesota Twins and Vikings.

She built many friendships over the years and would always have special treats and coffee available for friends and neighbors who came to visit. She especially treasured time spent with family. Her faith was strong, and she continued to read her Bible daily until recently when her failing eyesight made reading difficult.

She spent the last 4 years of her life at the Thief River Care Center, where she continued to form friendships. She spoke highly of the care center, caregivers and volunteers. She enjoyed the Center's activities, especially whist and Bingo.

Elaine is preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her brother, Roy.

Survivors include her sons, Randy (Debi), Rod (Bonnie), all of Bemidji, and Kent (Monica), Baxter, MN, grandchildren, Derek, Bemidji, MN, Cody (Liz), Bloomington, MN, Tyler (Sarah), great-grandson, Paul, Ruidoso, NM, as well as many special nieces and nephews and their families.

Elaine's family would like to thank St. John Lutheran Church pastors, congregation and all who sent letters, cards and visited her while she was a resident at the Care Center.