Obituary of James Wenzlaff

James H. Wenzlaff, 87, of the town of Rome, passed away on Thursday, August. 2, 2018, at Aspirus Riverview Hospital.

He was born on March 24, 1931, in Appleton, to the late Alfonse and Norma (Schroeder) Wenzlaff and was a 1949 graduate of Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids. James served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War era and he went on to attend the Kansas University Business School.

On April 11, 1954, he was married to Arlene Reiman. She passed away on January. 11, 1999. He then married Nancy Smith on October 8, 1999. She survives.

James began his career with the Wood County Telephone Company/Solarus in 1960 as Commercial Manager and retired as President and General Manager. He had served as the President of the Wisconsin State Telephone Association and as Director of the United States Telephone Association. His other acts of community leadership include having served as Director and Vice Chairman of Paper City Savings, was active in the Wisconsin Rapids Chamber of Commerce and past Co-Chair of the South Wood County United Way. He was a charter member of the Wisconsin Rapids Jaycees and he was a Paul Harris Fellow and President of the Rotary Club. In 1989, James was inducted into the WSTA Hall of Fame by his peers.

His other interests included golfing and boating on Lake Camelot

Family members include his wife, Nancy Wenzlaff; children, Teri (Jere) Johnson and Doug (Anne) Wenzlaff; step-children, Donald (Noel) Smith, Steve (Robin) Smith, Tari (deceased) (David) Blank and Sandy (John) Knol; grandchildren, Jen (Phil) Layden, Amy (Mike) Skornia, Scot Johnson (Michael Zywicki), Sam, Andy, Ellie and Jake Wenzlaff, Dakota and Mackenzie Smith, Kristina (Joe Donner) and Forrest (Ellie) Smith, Leigh Ann Blank, Chelsea (Brian) Blank, Aubrey Blank (Ben LaPlante), Mandy (Dan) Klein, Jenna and Greg Schellinger; great-grandchildren, Colin and Stella Layden, Evalynn LaPlante, Minkka Donner and Matty Klein; and sister, Carol (deceased) (Rudy) Foth.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the James H. Wenzlaff Scholarship Fund at Incourage or UW Cancer Center – Patient Care Fund.

The memorial service will be held at 12 noon on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, at the Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids, with full military honors to follow. Inurnment will take place at the Forest Hill Mausoleum at a later date. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home, and again on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

The Herman-Taylor Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit www.taylorfuneralhome.net.