Charlene M Wenzl, 78, Topeka, died Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008, at a care facility in Topeka.
She was born Aug. 6, 1930, at Valley Falls, the daughter of Carl Alfred and Leona Schneider Brose. She graduated from Valley Falls High School and then received a Bachelor of Music degree from St. Mary College in Leavenworth in 1952 and a Master of Education degree from Washburn University in 1963.
Charlene taught elementary music in USD 501 schools in Topeka for 37 years. She had also taught at Nortonville Public Schools and had given private piano lessons. In Topeka she had served as president of the USO, Kansas National Educator's Association of Topeka and Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority. She was a member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, the Catholic Youth Organization, Kansas NEA and NEA.
She married Gene Wenzl on Oct. 6, 1990 at Topeka. He died in 1995.
Survivors include a brother, Melvin Brose, Topeka; four stepchildren, Mark, Tim, Matt and Jennifer Wenzl; two nephews, Michael Brose and Jeffrey Brose; and two nieces, Deidre Boyd and Denise Jennings.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, Aug. 25, 2008, at St. Mary's Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Valley Falls. Burial will be at the church cemetery. A Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, followed by visitation at Mercer Funeral Home in Valley Falls.
Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders and sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home in Valley Falls. Online condolences are at www.mercerfuneralhomes.com