Bernadette M. (Senesec) Wenkel

Bernadette Marie Wenkel, age 97, of rural Mankato died, on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019 at Mayo Clinic Health System – Mankato with family nearby.

Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 26, 2019 at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Mankato. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Thursday at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour before church on Friday. Interment will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Mankato. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Bernadette Marie was born April 7, 1922 to Peter Paul and Clara Elizabeth (Huettl) Senesac in Mankato. She was a life-long resident of Decoria Township, attending rural school District #110 - the Ballard School, Ss. Peter and Paul School in Mankato, and graduated from Mapleton High School in 1939. After her mother passed away in 1941, she kept house for her father until she married Edgar O. Wenkel in 1944. Bernadette and Edgar grew up a mile apart from each other near Beauford. After her marriage, they resided on the family farm south of Mankato for nearly 75 years. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, birdwatching, canning, word finds, puzzles, and was a homemaker for her family.

Bernadette is survived by her four children, Richard (Nancy) Wenkel of St. Paul, Herbert (Linda) Wenkel, Clarice (Gary) Roseberry, Kenneth (Cynthia) Wenkel all of Mankato; six grandchildren, Daniel (Beth Robelia) Wenkel, Erika (Todd Seppmann), Jesse Roseberry (fiancé, Kari Kramer), Jarett Roseberry (special friend, Ashley Brinkman), Andrew Wenkel (special friend, Jen Lippitt), and Benjamin Wenkel; four great-grandchildren, Tyler, Jonathan, and Ethan Seppmann, Teigan Roseberry; nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Bernadette was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Edgar in 2011; brother, Private Cletus Senesac, U.S. Army in 1945.