Wesley Elmer "Wes" Frenzel

Wesley Elmer Frenzel, 86, of Shooks, MN, died peacefully on July 9, 2025 at his home.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 2:00 P.M at Faith Lutheran Church in Blackduck, MN with Rev. Tom Reagan officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:00 – 2:00 PM, one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery in Kelliher, MN. A Reception will be held at the Frenzel Event Center, 407 Clark Ave. South, Kelliher, MN after the service.
Wesley was born on October 30, 1938 in Dent, MN to Roy and Esther (Rudebeck) Frenzel. He was raised on the family farm in Shooks and graduated from Kelliher High School in 1956. Wesley was married for 64 years to Janice (Ulland) Frenzel. They enjoyed traveling to many countries and across the United States. Regardless of where he traveled, Wes bumped into old and new friends. Throughout his life, he was a dependable husband, father, son, brother, and neighbor who made many friends.
He held many jobs over his life, including logging; working in the iron mines on the range; building missile sites in North Dakota; owning a land clearing business with his brother, Roger; and farming for many years having dairy and beef cattle. After his years in farming, Wesley taught Heavy Equipment operations at the Red Lake and Staples Technical Colleges. Prior to his retirement, he became the lead bus mechanic for the Northome Public School.
He loved the outdoors, his Red Angus cattle, farming, trapping, gardening, and hunting. Despite a busy work life, Wesley managed the Kelliher Waskish Wild Rice Parade for many years, served on the Beltrami Soil and Water Conservation Board, and was an active Gideon International member. His home was always open to those in need, welcoming fourteen foster children.
Wesley is survived by his wife Janice Frenzel of Shooks; daughters Susan (Tim) Huston and Jeanine (Ron) Gangeness; sons Keith (Heather) Frenzel and Dennis (Jeannine Li) Frenzel; grandchildren Marit (Brian) Juve, Andrew (Maureen) Huston, Joshua (Joshua) Frenzel, Alexandra (Jake) Foerster, Mackenzie (Austin) Bontrager, Christopher (Heather) Mathis, and Kelsey Frenzel; and 10 great-grandchildren. Siblings, Marilyn (Ray) Steffen, Gloria Thompson, Arnold (Sandy) Frenzel, Chester (DiAnn) Frenzel, Lucille (Kevin Peterson) Granger, David (Ann) Frenzel, Ray (Terra) Frenzel and Denise (Todd) Bauer as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Esther Frenzel; three brothers, Roger, Melvin, and Dean Frenzel and three sisters, Louise Brambrink, Louella Bauer, and Alice Mohs.