Mildred V. Wenzel (Millie)

      Mildred Vivian Smit was born to Dick and Ettie (Janssen) May 4, 1932, near Chapin, Iowa. Millie graduated from Chapin High School. She was married to George Wenzel on March 18, 1953.  They made their home on a farm near Belmond and Millie would live on that same farm until she passed.  George and Millie were blessed with six daughters: Barb, Debbie, Peggy, Nancy, Lynette, and Julie.

      Millie loved being a mother, homemaker and helping George with the farm operations.  Her role as a farmwife meant hard work and long hours.  Even though farm life was challenging and a gamble, their efforts were rewarded with 62 happy years together before George’s passing in 2015.

      The farm was filled with beautiful flowers and vegetable gardens that were created by George and Millie and maintaining the was one of Millie’s favorite pastimes.  She also enjoyed sewing and making lots of the daughters’ dresses when they were younger.  Millie loved to feed and watch the birds and was always excited to see the cardinals.  Her love of letter writing and card sending was enjoyed by many friends and family.  Her family meant everything to Millie, and she loved many Comstock picnics, family reunions and sharing a three o’clock cup of team with them.

      Millie had a deep love for the Lord and lived her life to glorify him.  She was a lifetime member of the Immanuel Reformed Church and served the church in many capacities.  Teaching others, especially the younger children in the church, came easy for her and she taught for many years.  Millie’s love for the Lord was instilled in her daughters and their families.

       Millie’s love and memories will continue in the hearts of her daughters: Barb (Dennis) Janssen, Ankeny, IA, Peggy (Jim) Hutchison, O’Fallon, IL, Lynette (Tom) Schumper, Winona, MN, and Julie (Brad) Berneman, Belmond, IA; sons-in-law: Chuck McCloud and Mark Barkema; Grandchildren: Rachel (Nathan) Evans, Ryan Janssen, Heather (Andrew) Sivia, Jessica (Jason) Ingwersen, Jamee (Kevin) Stover, Mindy (Pete) Dahlstrom, Marcus (Josie) Barkema, Michelle (Dylan) Braly, Tyler (Vicki) Hutchison, Bryce (Kayla) Tschumper, Chase (Miranda) Berneman, Jordan (Anna) Tschumper, Kelcey Hutchison, Alexis Hutchison, Austin (Kyra) Tschumper, Chanse (Shayne) Berneman; Great grandchildren: Hallie, Hope, Hannah, and Hudson Evans, Brenden and Carley Janssen, Kaiden, Easton and Pyper Sivia, Leah and Coen Ingwersen, Charlie and Wyatt Stover, Derek and Logan Stover, Maile Seifried, Jacob and Joey Dahlstrom, Weston and Joslyn Barkema, Riley and Haisley Braly, Afton Tschumper, Adrianos Hutchison; sister Ester DeVries, brothers and sisters-in-laws Sue Smit, Jim and Joyce Wenzel, Bob and Carolyn Wenzel, Gladys and Chuck Vancura, Phyllis Ash; and many nieces and nephews.

       Millie was preceded in death by her parents, Dick and Ettie Smit and stepmother Bessie Smit, in laws Fred and Grace Wenzel, husband George; daughters Debbie McCloud and Nancy Barkema; granddaughters Meagan and Marissa Barkema; brothers Bill Smit and Dennis Smit; sister Gert Stadtlander; brothers and sister-in-law: Fred and Mae Ferne Wenzel, Eldred and Katherine Tabbert, Tony and Mary Servantez, Lily Dippel, Louis Stadtlander, Al DeVries, and Arlene Smit.