Arvid 'Pete' Wentzel

Arvid Pete' Wentzel, age 82, of St. James, died on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester. Funeral services will be 11am, Saturday, July 10, 2021, at St. Paul's EV. Lutheran Church in St. James with Rev. Jim Renz officiating. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday beginning at 9am. Burial will be at Mt Hope Cemetery at a later date. Arvid Wilbur "Pete" Wentzel , age 82 of St. James, died peacefully on Saturday , July 3rd , 2021 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester MN. He was born on April 12th, 1939 to William and Melinda (Becker) Wentzel on their South Branch, MN farm. He was baptized and confirmed in St. John's Lutheran Church and also attended St. John's Parochial School in South Branch, MN. He attended Doctor Martin Lutheran College High School in New Ulm Mn and graduated in 1957. He took over operating the family farm with the help of his uncles at the age of 15, after his dad's passing. He worked at Scherr Tumico plant in St. James MN, where he also met the love of his life, Joyce Bowers. They were united in marriage on June 30th , 1963 in First Presbyterian Church in St. James. They made their home in Granite Falls where he worked as an insurance agent with Federated Insurance and then moved to Pipestone in 1968 where he continued with Federated Insurance. They then moved to St. James where they made their final home in 1972 and he worked for American Family Insurance until he fully retired in 2004. He was very active in the community, as a charter member, president and governor of the St. James Sertoma Club. He and his wife were both charter members of the St. James Ambulance Service, volunteered with the Food Shelf, Wellspring, Meals on Wheels , Mayo Health System and Good Sam's Pleasant View Nursing Home. He also volunteered as a tutor for ESL and was very active in the Summer Theater Productions. He was a very active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in St. James , where he served as a member of the cemetery board, Sunday School teacher, sang and directed the choir, ushered and was actively involved with the male singing group, Prism. Together Pete and Joyce had 2 daughters, Beth and Heather. His love in life were God first, his late wife, Joyce , his daughters, his grandchildren and great grand baby littles. Pete enjoyed playing cribbage, golf, Sudoku and puzzles. He absolutely loved to visit with anyone and always had an array of stories to share and always making the other person feel important and special. He love to sing and play piano. He especially loved classical music. He really enjoyed having coffee and fellowship at his favorite coffee shop , owned by his daughter, Heather and enjoyed coming up with comical excuses to avoid the gym, Beth manages down the street. He enjoyed the many the travels and trips he and Joyce took together , as well as family vacations throughout the years. He enjoyed as much time as possible with his grandchildren and great grandchildren , attending games, events, concerts, babysitting and transporting to school and preschool. He enjoyed dining at Bailey's in Ormsby MN, with his grandsons over a beer and burger and then driving around to check on the fields. He is survived by his daughter Beth (Randy) Henderson, daughter , Heather Wentzel both of St. James, his grandchildren , Brandon Rynchek of Brainerd, MN, Alex Henderson of Alexandria MN, Ross (Katie) Henderson of St. James, Ahnah Henderson of St. James and Sam Henderson of Fargo ND. He is also survived by his great grandchildren, Becker and Aliviah Friedrich of St. James, Eleanor , Vivian and Amelia Henderson of St. James and was excited for his 6th great grandchild , due in September. He is also survived by his older brother , Arden Wentzel of Janesville WI, older sister, Ardith Nelson (Tory) of Nicollet MN and Brother in law, Dan Wolf of Apple Valley MN. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Joyce Wentzel, his parents, older brother, Arnold Wentzel and his younger sister, Arlynne Wolf. Pete was an extremely kind, humble, compassionate, positive, generous , patient and gentle soul. He was always thinking of and putting others first. He was always willing to help anyone and everyone in any way he could. He and Joyce had a gift of hospitality and always opened up their home for holidays and gatherings to ensure no one was ever alone and always had a good meal and company. He was always smiling, happy and found joy and laughter in life to it's fullest. His famous "motto" was "Life is Good" . His recent highlight was being a co- grand marshal and representing one St. James Sertoma Club's oldest members, just two weeks before he passed from this life to join his wife in heaven. Visitation 1 9:00 am - 11:00 am Saturday, July 10, 2021 St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, St. James 315 9th Street S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 11:00 am Saturday, July 10, 2021 St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, St. James 315 9th Street S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Mt. Hope Cemetery, St. James S. CR 27 St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Held at a later date. Fellowship A lunch to be served following the service.