Mary L. Wenzel, nee Bach, 95, of Belleville, IL, born July 17, 1929, in St. Louis, Missouri, died peacefully Saturday, March 1, 2025, at her home, surrounded by her children.
Mrs. Wenzel was a homemaker. For many years, her greatest passion was the preservation of the Traditional Latin Mass. Through faith, persistence, and personal sacrifice, Mary was successful in supporting and attending the TLM for the last several decades of her life.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Russell Wenzel, Sr., whom she married on May 14, 1949, and who died on December 12, 2013; her daughter, Christina Wenzel, who died in infancy; her parents, Alphonse and Julia, nee Bersett, Bach, and her brother, William Bach (Kay) of Dover, DE.
Surviving are her four daughters and two sons: Patricia Bruss (Jim Moran) of Tequesta, FL Jeanne (Dan) Ross of Cambridge, MA, Jo Jackson of Bolingbrook, IL, Barbara (Mark) Van De Casteele of Dallas, TX, Russell (Diane) Wenzel Jr. of Frontenac, MO, and David (Jill) Wenzel of Belleville, IL; 19 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.
The family extends its gratitude for the tender care provided by Family Hospice.
Memorials may be made to Queen of the Holy Rosary Academy, 393 West Old Watson Road, St. Louis, MO 63119 or to Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery, 142 Joseph Blane Road, Silver City, NM 88061. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Funeral: A recitation of the rosary for family and friends will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2025, followed by a Requiem Mass at 10:00 a.m., at St. Mary’s Assumption Catholic Church, 1126 Dolman St., St. Louis, MO, with Fr. Dennis McDonald officiating.
Immediately thereafter, graveside services and burial will be at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
