Joseph Wente

Joseph Knerl Wente died of natural causes on Sept. 11, 2026.
Joe was born to Tom and Mary Ann Wente on Dec 7, 1959, the anniversary of Pearl Harbor.

At a young age Joe would prove to be a joker. One day his parents and Aunt Florence couldn’t find him, scaring his parents until they discovered him hiding in a cold air return. Joe thought that was great fun.

His antics continued through life raising the few hairs on his dad’s head. And keeping both parents in daily Mass and on their rosary beads.
Joe loved his middle name Knerl, his mom’s maiden name. But at an early age mistakenly told everyone his middle name was “Earl.”
Joe had an infectious smile and a gregarious “HELLO or HEY “ with a big bear hug.
After giving the Dominican sisters at Blessed Sacrament School a good reason they chose their vocation, Joe would go on to attend public grade school and finish at Epiphany Catholic Grade School and Heelan High School in 1978.
With too many antics to mention here let’s just say the teachers and staff clapped extra loud as Joe received his diploma and moved on to proudly serve his country in the US Navy. Joe was a strong patriot.

Joe was stationed in Scotland. It was a proud moment when Joe welcomed his dad onto the ship as dad was traveling for work.
Following the Navy Joe completed his Associate Degree at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, IA.

Joe made lifelong friends from grade school through his navy years and beyond. He made anyone he met feel like his long lost friend.
In any picture Joe was in he always had his famous “bunny ear” fingers on the person next to him.

Joe did prefer his alone time too choosing to live in his 24 foot camper in Kingman, AZ.
Joe loved his family but the numbers and noise quickly became too much for him and he would retreat to AZ often before anyone of us woke up or came home from work to say our goodbyes.

Joe loved order and was neat beyond words. Often when visiting siblings, he’d clean out garages, storage rooms or other messes that drove him crazy.
Joe worked different careers throughout his life including Earth Tech in Southern California. He also worked with his cousin Dennis Wente promoting Dennis’ golf club business and most recently working with his cousin Jim Wente’s wife at their family’s business.

Nieces and nephews loved when Uncle Joe visited. He would give them big hugs and smiles. He wrestled with them, drummed with them and created his amazing art pieces that we all treasured.

Joe had a wonderful talent for art. He created caricatures of many family members that hang throughout their homes and will put smiles on our faces for years to come.
Left to cherish his memory are his 9 siblings and their families; 7 sisters who loved to try and still “parent” their single brother, and 2 brothers who had given up.
Tim, (Marites), Ann (Dan Myers), Ellen (Dave Dirks), Jane (the late Steve Christensen), Jackie (Joe Carey), TJ (Jody), Maria (Doug Maharry), Meg (Trent Eckstaine) and Liz. And too many nieces and nephews to pay for an extended obit column.
Those welcoming Joe into heaven are his parents Tom and Mary Ann Wente, nephews Michael and TJ II Wente, brother-in-law Steve Christensen and his beloved pets Bogie and Tana.

Prior to Joe’s cremation his siblings will take pictures with the infamous bunny ears behind HIS head.

We love you Joe, rest in peace and please get heaven organized and cleaned up before we all join you!