Alfred Louis Wenzel, 96 of Stratford, completed his earthly journey on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015. Born April 28, 1919 to Louis & Anna (Frodl) Wenzel, he was the fourth of eleven children. He was raised on the family farm in the Town of Eau Pleine, 1 ½ miles south of Stratford, that was homesteaded by his father. He first attended Marathon Pride School (a one room school) and completed his education at St. Joseph's Catholic School in Stratford. A proud veteran of World War II, at age 22 he was drafted into the Army. His service began July 17, 1941. As a medic, he served in Europe and spent 27 months defending the Panama Canal Zone. He attained a rank of T5 Sergeant and was honorably discharged on November 24, 1945. He was the last surviving charter member of the Stratford VFW Post 6352 and he has been honored by his family for his service to our country with the placing of Legacy Stones at "The High Ground" in Neillsville and at the Stratford VFW Post. His military citations include the Pre-Pearl Harbor ribbon, American Defense ribbon, ETO ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal and the Presidential Unit Citation. Upon his return from service he married Marie Kohlbeck on May 29, 1946 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Hewitt. They shared 69 years of married life, a true example of commitment and love. Together they farmed with his parents on the family 80-acre farm for two years, taking over the operation in 1948, until February 1982, when they retired and moved to their new home in Stratford. Their son, Dennis, rented the farm until the fall of 1984, at which time the farm was purchased by "Leick's Farms". Alfred was an usher at St. Joseph's Church for over 40 years, a member of the Men's Holy Name Society, and was also active in the Knights of Columbus. He was a director for the former Clover Hill Cheese Factory. His hobbies and pastimes included gardening, growing beautiful flowers, especially geraniums, card playing, dart ball, listening to polka music, playing the button accordion, attending his grandchildren's events and following the Brewers and Packers. He was known by all as a "Master Joke Teller". He also knew many card tricks. Dad and Mom used to love dancing to polkas and waltzes. His greatest accomplishment and true pride and joy were his wife and family. He enjoyed family gatherings and celebrations more than anything else. He was blessed with a sense of humor unmatched by anyone. He could tell limitless jokes and had one ready within minutes of meeting people. He made everyone's day brighter – If you knew him, you were his friend. His jokes and stories were always "clean" and appropriate –even for children. One of his favorite lines was "Be good to yourself, you couldn't be better to a nicer person". Dad truly believed and lived by the saying, "If you can't say something nice about someone, don't say anything at all". Some called him father. Some called him Grandpa. Some called him Great Papa. Some called him son. Some called him brother. Some called him friend. He was a superhero to so many and will be truly missed by all. Survivors include his wife Marie of 69 years. His children and their families: Dr. Edward Wenzel, Professor Emeritus of Onalaska; Richard (Judy) Wenzel of Rozellville, and their children,; Jamie (Heather), Taya, Daxtyn, Zayden & Kollyns of Stratfor, Julie (Matt) Schillinger, Macie & Marah of Rozellville; Mary Jean (Rodney) Passehl of Edgar, and their children, Kelly (Chad) Erickson, Ashley & Preston of Edgar, Tracy (Christopher) Freund, Kayla & Dylan of Marathon, & Ryan (Ashley), Trent of McFarland; Roseann (Forrest 'Speedy') Johnson of Stratford, and their children, Patrick (Megan), Averi, Michael (Kimberly), Mason & Kennedi, Kristi (Les) Ormond, Jackson & Jaeger all of Stratford; Dennis Wenzel of Stratford, and his children, Ryan (Laura), Jacob & Joel of Machesney Park, IL and Danny (Jodi) of Stratford; Karen (Terry) Fischer of Marshfield, and their children, Bradley of Oshkosh & Christopher of Marshfield; Alice (Steve) Niehaus of Marshfield, and their children, Lisa (Bill) Frey of Marshfield, Benjamin (Amber), Wyatt & baby boy due in October of Marshfield, and Chad of Brookfield; Leon Wenzel of Medford, and his children; Matthew of Medford, Brienna of Green Bay and Cameron of Medford; He is further survived by four sisters, Loretta (late Norman) Tritz and Alice (late Sylvester) Fisher of Marshfield and Srs. Dorothy and Margaret Wenzel, FSPA, of La Crosse, and one brother, Donald (Rose) of Stratford, and a sister in law, Margaret (late Edward) Grassl of Marshfield, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Carol Ann, in infancy in 1947, and the following brothers and sisters: Raymond (Rose VandeLoo and Marie Mader Daul), Walter, Leo (Mildred Kurtzweil), Agnes Neuwirth Meyer (Vic Neuwirth and Peter Meyer), and Marie Grassl (Ludwig). Mass of Christian Burial will be 11am Saturday, September 12, 2015 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Stratford with Fr. Sengole Vethamanickam and Fr. Eric Berns officiating. Music will be provided by Bucky Drexler and St. Joseph's Resurrection Choir. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Town of Eau Pleine, Marathon County. Military rites will be conducted at the cemetery by the Stratford VFW Post 6354. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be godchildren Michael Neuwirth (deceased), Phyllis Frodl, Alfred Grassl, Sharon (Strupp) Schreiner, Larry Wenzel, Karen (Kohlbeck) Pawlowski and Robert Fisher. Active pallbearers will be Jamie, Ryan and Matthew Wenzel, Ryan Passehl, Patrick Johnson, Bradley Fischer and Benjamin Niehaus. Visitations will be from 4-7pm Friday at the St. Joseph's Church in Stratford and again on Saturday at the church from 9am until service time. There will be a Knights of Columbus Rosary service at 6:30pm Friday at the church. The family would like to thank Krissie Krall and Kris Tarter from Ministry Home Care Hospice and Dr. Vijay Aswani for the care they provide Alfred and the family. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in his name. Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com I'll see you again. This is not where it ends. I will carry you with me, till I see you again.