Tribune, Kansas
Regina Marie Dinkel Wendt, age 89, passed away on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at Greeley County Hospital in Tribune, Kansas. Regina was born at St. Peter, Kansas on January 7, 1926, the daughter of Mike and Rosalia Dinkel.
Regina moved to NE Greeley County with her family in 1928 and later attended the Cactus and Mt. Hope Schools. In 1940 the family moved into Tribune. At age 17 she found work with the Chase Hunt family and a year later met her husband to be, Norman Wendt. They were married on October 28, 1944. Norman and Regina farmed locally for a few years and then were persuaded by a land owner from South Dakota to come there and help with his farm, so they moved to South Dakota. Three years later they returned to Kansas where they farmed land in NE Greeley County until Norman’s death in February 1997. They had purchased a home in Tribune in 1985, and this is where she made her home after selling the farm.
Regina served as Manager of the Tribune Senior Center for six years, also worked at Helmwood Care Home and the Greeley County Hospital. She cooked at Goodies Restaurant for four years.
Regina enjoyed playing bridge, was a member of the North HDU, loved all animals and worked alongside her husband driving the wheat trucks, etc. She loved being outside. Her sister, Maggie remembers playing softball with Regina and laughs at her ability to knock the ball for a homer many, many times. Regina always raised a huge garden, and was a great cook! Both Norman and Regina were active in Thrifty Thrivers 4-H Club for several years helping members with their projects. She was a long time member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Tribune.
Regina is survived by her two sons and their wives. Kenneth and Claudia Wendt, their two sons, Eric and Jeremy of Alice, TX and Jerry and Toni Wendt and three daughters, Jennifer, Tina and Robyn of Dayton, WY. Her sisters, Leona Billinger of Derby, KS and Maggie Carter of Aurora, CO. A brother, CJ Dinkel from Redwood City, CA and Aunt Katie, from Hutchinson, KS who will celebrate her 104th Birthday in April.
Her husband, Norman, her parents Mike and Rosalia Dinkel, her brother, Joe, her sister Mary, two brothers-in-law, Henry Woods and Ed Billinger, two sisters-in-law Ann Dinkel and Dorothy Dinkel, a granddaughter, Miracle Anne Wendt, one nephew and two nieces and many Uncles and Aunts precede her in death.
Graveside services will be held at 1:00 pm (MST), Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at Greeley County Cemetery in Tribune, Kansas with Father Ben Martin officiating.
Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Inurnment will be at the Tribune Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at priceandsons.com.