Obit: West, Wanda Mae (1926 – 2021)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Cook, West, Miles, Bentzler, Smith, Moriarity, Dollak, Russo, Wiegel

Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, WI) 29 Dec 2021

West, Wanda Mae (9 Oct 1926 – 19 Dec 2021)

Wanda Mae (Cook) West, 95, Sauk Prairie, formerly of Loyal, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, at the Pine Villa Memory Care. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m., on Monday, Dec. 27, at Graceway Church in Prairie du Sac.

Wanda was born on Oct. 9, 1926, in Loyal, to Elwin and Katy (nee Miles) Cook. Wanda was one of the hardest workers there ever was. While growing up on the family farm and attending school in Loyal, she helped with the chores, milked the cows and cared for her handicapped Grandma Cook, who lived down the road. She married Jerome P. Bentzler at a young age and they were blessed with nine children. Wanda exemplified a trusting faith, strength, and perseverance throughout her life. She sent Jerome off to war while pregnant with their first son. She later married Marvin R. West, on April 7, 1969. Together they were blessed with a daughter. Her biggest accomplishment was raising her 10 children. Wanda worked as a meat wrapper for Kohl’s Food Stores in Madison, and after retiring from there she worked for UW-Madison Housing. Wanda loved Jesus and reading the Bible. She also loved to travel and had the opportunity to see all 48 continental states. Wanda was a humble, caring, loving and kind-hearted woman with many stories to tell. She was a strong woman who lived through the Great Depression, survived tubercular spinal meningitis, and survived COVID. In her free time she loved to read, garden, sew and make pillows and quilts for her children and grandchildren. She loved to spend time with her family watching her grandchildren grow up.

Wanda is survived by eight children: Doug (Carole) Bentzler of Deerfield, Paulette (Mike) Smith of Deerfield, Kathryn Moriarity of Madison; Dawn (Mike) Dollak of Fall River, Steve (Margo) Bentzler of Dousman, Susan Bentzler of Reedsburg, Mark (Brenda) Bentzler of Viroqua, and Pamela (Vincent) Russo of Prairie du Sac; 24 grandchildren; dozens of great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Loretta (Toots) Cook; and many other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, Wanda was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin; two sons: Jerome A. Bentzler and Scott Bentzler; and her brother, Russell Cook.

The family wants to give a big thank you to the staff at the Pine Villa Memory Care, her Agrace nurses (especially Kevin and Mary), and Janet Wiegel from the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin, 6314 Odana Rd, Suite 4, Madison, WI 53719 in Wanda’s name.

A mother like ours is more than a memory, she is a living presence. Mom, you blessed our lives.

Hooverson Funeral Homes of Sauk City assisted the family with arrangements.