Mildred M. Wente, 83, 186 S. Hanover St., Minster, died at 2:50 a.m. Dec. 19, 2008, at Lima Memorial Hospital.

She was born Sept. 16, 1925, in Carthagena to William and Elizabeth Hess Franzer. On May 10, 1947, she married Jerome Wente, who died Feb. 19, 1981.

Surviving are two sons, Allan (Rita), and Vernon, all of Minster, six daughters, Jane Wappelhorst, Hamilton, N.J., Judy (George) Wermert, Teutopolis, Ill., Nancy (Mike) Pleiman, McCartyville, Karen Conradi and Brenda (Dave) Albers, all of New Bremen, and Denise (William) Sheipline, Wapakoneta; a sister, Norma Knapke, Cranberry Prairie; 19 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.

Deceased are four brothers, Leander, Roman, Bernard and Carl Franzer; two sisters, Mary Guggenbiller and Esther Jutte; and a son-in-law, William Conradi.

She had retired from Schmiesing Refrigeration, Minster. She was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church, Minster, and was a Communion distributor and volunteer at Heritage Manor. She was a member of Fraternal Order of Eagles, Minster, and New Bremen Senior Citizens and its quilting group.

Funeral Mass is 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church, the Rev. Rick Nieberding officiating. Burial is at church cemetery.

Calling is 3-8 p.m. Monday and 9-9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster.

Memorials can be made to Heritage Manor Activity Fund.