Mary Wenning

Mary (Reier) Wenning, 95 of Coldwater, peacefully passed away at home surrounded by her family on May 24th, 2022.

She was born on June 5, 1926, to William and Josephine (Heyne) Reier.  Mary is preceded in death by her husband of 74 years, Raymond J. Wenning, son of Leo and Rose (Kahlig) Wenning.

Mary’s full life revolved around the people she loved most her husband Ray and their 16 children.  Her and Ray’s children include:  Ronald (Rebecca) Wenning, John (Diane) Wenning, Michael (Cindy) Wenning, Steven Wenning, Joan (Kevin) Gilliland, Teresa (Jack) Waite, Roselyn (Chris) Post, Martha (Mark) Brannon, Patricia (Duane) Depweg and Paul (Amy) Wenning, all of Coldwater; James (Mary) Wenning of Ft. Recovery; Daniel (Carol) Wenning of Celina; Jerome (Cathy) Wenning of Carthagena; Jean (Tom) Heckler of Beavercreek; Margie (Michael) Christopher of Phoenix, Arizona; and daughter-in-law, Florence (Robert) Wenning of Springboro.  Mary is also preceded in death by her oldest son Robert and infant grandchildren.

Mary is preceded in death by siblings Betty (Ralph) Lange, Julie (Zeno) Backman and Sally (Wilbert) Westgerdes as well as in-laws Irene and Ed Bender, Dorothy and Albert Knapke, Cletus and Rosemary Wenning, Wilfred Fullenkamp, as well as Alvera and Wilfred Bruns. Sister-in-law Lillian Fullenkamp survives.

Mary lived in Coldwater as a young woman and when finished with school, began working in the Celina priest’s house.  It wasn’t long before she met a young farmer named Ray Wenning.  Their courtship was interrupted by World War II, where Ray served until 1946.   It didn’t take long for Ray to realize he “had a good one” and they were married at the home place on August 13, 1947.  This was the start to an adventure that added 16 children, then blessed them with 60 grandchildren and 88 great grandchildren (and still counting!).

Ray and Mary founded Ray’s Refrigeration in 1946 and owned Ray’s Dairyland for 22 years.  Mary was the “engine” behind both these endeavors, working hard not only as a homemaker for a growing family, but also as a businesswoman in her own right.  Her lessons taught to their kids about running businesses, dealing with customers, and hard work, were an invaluable gift.

Between running businesses and raising kids, Mary also kept up on the farming, milking, and raising steers.  Whether it was driving the tractor during bailing or taking meals out to the field, Mary enjoyed being outside with family and keeping her fingers in all the details that a smooth operation required.

Even when slowing down, you could often find she and Ray on a drive through Mercer County while “road farming.”  Her greatest joy will always be her husband and family.

Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am May 26, 2022, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Coldwater.  Burial will follow with at Saint Elizabeth Cemetery, Coldwater, Ohio.  Viewing will be at Holy Trinity Catholic Church on Wednesday, May 25 ^th from 2 – 8 pm and at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in Coldwater from 9 to 10 am on Thursday.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider contributions to Everhart Hospice or Coldwater Memorial Park.  Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Coldwater is honored to care for Mary and her family. To pay your respects online, visit www.hogenkampfh.com.