For the Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD – Wenzel Farm’s matriarch and local philanthropist, Violet Wenzel died Feb. 11 at the age of 96.

Violet was born July 8, 1922, to John and Elizabeth (Merkel) Felhofer in Stratford and moved to Marshfield with her family as a young child. Her father and brothers are noted for the construction of the World’s Largest Round Barn in Marshfield’s fairgrounds.

She was a 1940 graduate of Marshfield Senior High School. Following high school graduation, Violet worked as a teller and cashier at Citizens National Bank of Marshfield.

Violet married Harry J. Wenzel in 1947. She worked in the family business – Harry C. Wenzel & Sons, Inc., more commonly known as Wenzel’s Farm Sausage – as a bookkeeper, a sounding board for her husband and son, and as a member of the board of directors.

She also served on the board of directors with her daughters – Judy and Nancy – following her son, Russell’s death in 2010 to 2014, when the company was sold.

Violet, Nancy, & Judy’s generosity assisted with the recent creation of the Wenzel Family Plaza in Marshfield’s downtown.

Visitation will be March 7, 4-6 p.m. at Rembs Funeral Home, 300 S. Oak Ave., Marshfield.  There will also be a visitation at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 201 W. Blodgett St., Marshfield, March 8 at 9:30 a.m.; followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Burial will take place in Hillside Cemetery, Marshfield.

Wenzel Farm’s recently was awarded the Firm of the Year by the Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry for the second time — the first award came in 1968 under the ownership of the Wenzel family.