Irma Wente

STEELEVILLE, Ill. — Irma B. Wente, 96, of Steeleville passed away into her eternal home Monday, Dec. 28, 2020, at the Randolph County Care Center in Sparta, Illinois.

Irma was born the seventh of nine children to Fritz and Anna Brockmeyer on the family farm, south of Steeleville, on March 14, 1924. She was baptized Irma Anna Sophie Claria Brockmeyer at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wine Hill, Illinois, where she was confirmed in 1938.

Irma and Merle W. Wente were married Dec. 30, 1945, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wine Hill. Together, they had two sons, James William Wente (Rosalie Ruehmkorff) of Jackson and David Merle Wente (Marilyn Buescher) of Steeleville.

Irma was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Steeleville and B.B.K. American Legion Post No. 480 Auxiliary for over 70 years. She was very patriotic and enjoyed having family and friends as guests to her home on Broadway Street celebrating Steeleville’s Fourth of July parade and activities.

Irma is survived by James, Rosalie, David and Marilyn; grandson, Shawn (Shannon) Wente; granddaughter, Tonya (Rob) Ward; and grandson, Jacob (Lesley) Wente; three great-grandsons, James Robert Ward, William Charles Ward and Brantley James Wente; and many nieces and nephews throughout the United States.

Irma was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Raymond, Alfred, Fritz, Leroy and Irwin Brockmeyer; and sisters, Frieda Winkelman, Olinda Schulze and Leona Cicka.

Private services will be held Thursday, Dec. 31, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Steeleville, with the Rev. Mark Harriss officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Wine Hill.

Memorials may be given to St. Paul’s Cemetery Fund and may be mailed to Wilson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 217, Steeleville, IL 62288.

To sign the guest book visit wilsonsfuneralhome.net.

Due to executive order, face masks must be worn, and social guidelines must be followed.