Wondergem, Jeanne (nee Menzel)
Born January 10, 1928, in Detroit, MI. Married Virgil (Sid) K. Wondergem of Chicago, IL June 17, 1950.
Jeanne met Sid through Nate and Elsie McCarty. She would go to their home to play cards. Nate and Elsie would host card parties and watched over her, since she was a teenager. After a few years they dated and then married.
Jeanne also loved to sing and would harmonize with Sid Two of her favorite things to do were to go to the casinos to play the slots; and fishing. Her idea of a great time was sitting in a lawn chair on the dock and fish with a cane pole. She was known to catch three fish on one worm. She could cook the best fish you ever tasted. There was a time when her son Richard was with her on a metal dock. Some of her nieces thought it would be funny to shake the dock. The dock collapsed and she grabbed her son by the hair and ran to the shore. (That’s probably why he’s so sparse on top.) The only part of her that got wet were her slippers. It was apparently six feet of water. This was one of two occasions where she actually walked on water. In Church, the priest would ask if they knew of anyone else who walked on water besides Jesus. My sister and I raised our hands. There were many witnesses to that.
Jeanne was preceded in death by her grandson, Richie Wondergem, and her husband Virgil (Sid). She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Howard Menzel, Art Menzel, and Richard Menzel.
Jeanne is survived by her eight children: Irene Dalzell, Marge (Gaylord) Tiff, Bill (Diana) Wondergem, Marion (Art) Dougherty, Robert (Vicki) Wondergem, John (wife) Wondergem, Richard Wondergem and his girlfriend Kelly, Leo (Brenda) Wondergem. Also surviving are her 14 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. She is also survived by eight brothers and sisters.
Jeanne suffered from dementia and was cared for by the care givers at Cambridge Manor and Spectrum Hospice. They always looked forward to her cheerful disposition and joy to be around. She will be greatly missed. She died peacefully on October 13, 2014. Masses will be said at Catholic Churches in the area.
Cremation has taken place and her ashes will be buried at Fort Custer National Cemetery.
Honoring her wishes, cremation will take place. Arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids.