Nancy Ann Wentling

Nancy Ann Wentling, the daughter of George and Jessie (Ohlendorf) Schultz, was born in Quincy, Illinois on July 30, 1929, and departed our fellowship on March 15, 2014, at the Brewster Place Heath Center.

Nancy grew up in Quincy and graduated from Quincy High School, working various jobs while growing up. While still in her teens, she was offered an opportunity to go to California and work on a ranch with her aunt and uncle. There she met R.T. Wentling, her future husband, who was in the military and getting ready to go overseas. They put off getting married at that time and decided to wait until he served his tour of two years. It didn't work out that way, he was gone over four years, so they corresponded during the time they were apart. She had returned to Illinois, but when she learned he was coming home, she flew to California to meet him. They were married in the Little Brown Church by the Sea Shore, just north of Half Moon Bay in California.

They lived in Omaha, Nebraska, when they were separated from the service. R.T. then entered the seminary and was ordained in 1959. They served churches in Muscotah, Smith Center (Athol, yoked parish), Hiawatha (Fairview, yoked parish), Topeka, and after retirement Baldwin City.

They lived in Kansas for 51 years. For the past 31 years, they made their home in Topeka. Nancy was very active in the First Congregational Church. She was past president of the women's Fellowship of the Kansas Oklahoma Conference. She was also a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the White Shrine of Jerusalem, and was a member of the Social Order of the Beaueant. She served as Past Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star of Kansas and had also been elected as the Grand Secretary in 12 different years.
Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, R.T.; parents; three sisters, Jean Peters, Sally Hall, and Kay Beckett; and one brother, John Schultz.

Nancy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by three sons, David (Kelley) Wentling of Topeka, Daniel (Betty) Wentling of Mayetta, and Michael (Laura) Wentling of Chesterfield, Missouri; one daughter, Marilyn (Mike) Harden of Hoyt; a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; numerous other relatives; and a host of friends.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at First Congregational Church, 1701 SW Collins, Topeka, Kansas 66604. Burial will be in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66604.

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