Marjorie Ann Wenzel
Marge (as she was known to her family and friends) was born on February 13, 1928 in Kansas City Missouri. She was one of three daughters, and she was the middle child two years apart in age from her older and younger sister, whom both proceeded her in death.
When she was about seven years old the family moved to Chicago where her dad started an optical business. It was there in Chicago that she met a young handsome enlisted Navy man Howard (Handsome Howie) as he was known to his friends. After a short courtship, she married Howard the “love of her life” on June 17, 1945. Shortly after getting married Howard got transferred to the naval base in Pasco Washington so off they went. A couple years later after his service ended they moved to Seattle where Howard was from and where his family still resided. They soon bought a home in the Lake City area of Seattle where they raised their kids. They were married just two months shy of their 70th wedding anniversary when Howard passed away on April 15, 2015.
Marge was a very resourceful and creative woman and not afraid to tackle almost anything. I still remember the time she completely took apart our washing machine, found the problem and put it back together again, then the next week was laying down new tiles in the bathroom. She dedicated her life to raising her three children and was an active volunteer at church, teaching Sunday school and heading up the women’s group activities. She enjoyed many hobbies such as sewing, gardening, bowling and was an avid Duplicate Bridge player, earning the distinction as a “Master” bridge player.
In 1964 Howard and Marge bought riverfront property on the Skykomish, cleared the land and had a small A-frame cabin built. They spent many weekends up there and enjoyed it thoroughly! When Howard retired in 1975 they became Snowbirds, spending 8 months in Mesa Arizona and 4 months at the cabin on the river. While in Arizona they played a lot of golf and then took up tennis in their 70’s. Marge also started a business of selling “Happy Feet” sandals three times a week at country stores located inside the resort communities of the Phoenix/Mesa area. When back in Washington for the summers they would sell the sandals at Fairs across the state. She successfully continued the business for 30 plus years until retiring at age 85, a fact she was very proud of! We will miss her but take comfort in knowing she is with the Lord and the love of her life, our dad.
She is survived by her three children and spouses, Joann White (Jurgen) of Sunsites Arizona, Carol Hagstrom, (Craig) of Mercer Island Washington, Howard Wenzel (Michelle) of Bothell Washington, and her five grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
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