Jo Anne Wenger

Obituary of Jo Anne Wenger

Jo Anne Wenger, longtime resident of Darien, passed away peacefully February 18 surrounded by her loving family. She was 94.

Jo was born on May 20, 1931 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to David Harrison and Grace Clark Putney. She spent her childhood years in the Kansas City area and attended the University of Kansas where she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa honor society. While attending KU she met the love of her life, Virgil Wenger, whom she later married.

Jo worked briefly as a secretary, but she found her true calling in becoming a devoted wife and mother of six children. Virgil's promotion to the New York City offices of Arthur Young in 1972 brought the burgeoning family from Tulsa to Darien where they bought a renovated barn that seemed custom-made for them and became their iconic "450".

Jo delighted in being a mom and dedicated herself wholeheartedly to the daily labors of love that made their busy and boisterous household a beloved home. Endless hours were spent cooking, cleaning, carpooling, helping with homework and doing laundry, laundry, laundry all while helping kids sort out personal issues and quandaries with the patience of a saint.

Jo was a gentle soul who always had a song on her heart and a beautiful voice with which to express it. She was an encourager who chose to see the best in people. She stood for the sanctity of life, believing that every child is a blessing created by God. She excelled at writing, loved puzzle-solving, and had an avid interest in preventative health which she applied to diligently caring for Virgil in recent years. They were proud KU alumni and loved to root on their beloved Jayhawks "Rock Chalk!" Their tender devotion to one another over the span of their 67-year marriage was truly rare and a beautiful model to their children.

Jo was a wealth of wisdom and the person to turn to when in need of answers or a truly caring heart. She was beloved by all who had the good fortune to have known her well. She was pre-deceased by her husband Virgil, and her brother, David. She is survived by her three sons: David (Elizabeth), Michael (Linda), Derrick (Nana); three daughters: Susan Leatham (John), Karen Finn (Tom), Melissa McConnell (Chris); and eighteen grandchildren: Erik and Luke; Amanda, Ashley (Luke), Michaela, and Christian; Derek (Carolina), Matthew (Katie), and Lucas (Kerri); Ryan (Mary), Rachel (Tanner), and James; Connor, Dylan, Riley, and Kate; Elizabeth and Charlie. She was also the proud great grandmother of three (so far!): Nora, Jack, and Marceline . And her sweet legacy continues…