Wenger, Frank H. (1887-1974)

Mennonite Weekly Review biography: 1942 Oct 15 p. 7

Birth date: 1887 Feb 27

text of biography:

A Biographical Sketch of a Farmer-Preacher

Editor’s note: This is the first of a series of biographical sketches of Mennonite rural life leaders. Future sketches will deal with representative Mennonites from various parts of the country and from different branches of Mennonites. — W. F.

I came to the home of Minister Frank Wenger for the suggestions as to who among his branch of the Mennonite Church were considered successful farmers, good family men and positive leaders in church and community affairs. As Brother Wenger began to tell me of different men and their outstanding contributions I looked around and sized up my informant and decided that Preacher Wenger himself was the man I was looking for. The farmer-preacher modestly denied that he was a successful farmer and felt that he could not qualify for what I wanted. The longer I talked with this interesting conversation list [sic conversationalist] the more convinced I became that Frank Wenger was a representative of a Mennonite rural life leader of the kind I was looking for. Our visit took place in the center of an 80 acre field as we leaned against Wenger’s half-ton red truck. While we were talking Irwin Wenger, the minister’s fifteen year old son continued industriously to sow the quarter section field of wheat.

Family background

Going back a little way into Wenger family history I discovered that Frank Wenger’s parents, Absolom [sic Absalom] and Sarah Wenger pulled up stakes at Wakarusa, Indiana, in 1872 and took a homestead one mile north and seven east of Moundridge, Kans. As minister Wenger mentioned this he pointed out across the wide expanse where his parents began farming in 1872 and where they continued with a family of nine children for the rest of their lives. It is of interest to note that the date of the settlement preceded by two years the settlement of the first large number of Mennonites from Russia in 1874. The Wengers were of pure Pennsylvania German stock. (Neither Mr. Wenger nor the writer discovered until near the end of our visit that both could speak the Pennsylvania German dialect. When this was discovered the conversation immediately sifted [sic] into our native tongue.).

Family Life

Frank Wenger worked on his father’s farm until he was 23. On his twenty third birthday he was married to Anna Dyck of Hillsboro, the daughter of Min. John Dyck, of that place. The newly married couple immediately moved to a 200 acre rented farm several miles to the west of the old home place. This was in 1910. The Wengers later bought this farm and have made it their home ever since. They, like the elder Wengers, had nine children.

Not all of this modest Mennonite minister’s life ran smoothly and without hardship. His first wife died after suffering for five years and left nine children none of them full grown. In addition to the loss of his beloved partner there was an accompanying economic depression following the First World War. Brother Wenger thoughtfully remarked that this was the severest test to which the Lord had ever put him.

The skies cleared again; economic conditions improved and in time Pastor Wenger married a second time. Mrs. Mary Peters, a neighbor and member of Wenger’s church became his second wife. She brought two children with her and to this new union two more children were born making a total of 13 children. Of this number seven are still at home.

Training Children

The father of so large a family should have some philosophy of family life and Preacher Wenger does. It is his aim to help all of his children get a start in life but he does not believe in making it to [sic] easy. He feels that it is good for young people to have to struggle for themselves. This, he said, was well illustrated in an article he had hecently [sic] read in the READER’S DIGEST regarding a silk worm trying to get out of its cocoon. Two men were looking on. One man, an amateur asked his friend the expert why he did not help the worm out of the cocoon. The expert said if he did the worm would soon die. If he left it struggle and free itself it would develop itself and become strengthened sufficiently to undergo the rigors of life.

In the Wenger family all learn to work and to assume responsibility. This is a first principle of success in life Mr. Wenger believes. All of his children are given a chance to develop this responsibility by choosing an interest and looking after it. A calf, a flock of chickens, a sow, several sheep or a plot of ground. One 21 year old boy at home has four cows, several sheep and hogs of his own. “When the boys go away from home they have practical experience and a little something to begin farming on their own.” then with a twinkle in his eye and a soft chuckle, the pastor added, “Of course all at Dad’s expense.” The Wenger boys all had about two years of high school. The girls generally quit school as soon as the law allows because they get married often at the ages of 18 and 19 and often do not care for further training in school.

About the Future

As Minister Wenger thoughtfully leaned against his truck he ventured the prediction that hard times ere ahead for the Mennonite Church similiar [sic] to that of our forefathers in Europe. Although he hopefully commented that there might be some bright spots ahead too which we did not foresee. It is a belief among the Holdeman Mennonites not to charge interest for the use of money. Disclosing a little more of his philosophy, Elder Wenger remarked: “We seldom need financial help. What we need is moral help, that is, confidence in each other. I believe in helping but I also think a Mennonite ought to feel a sense of responsibility for taking care of himself. No one ought to depend on the government for relief; it is a disgrace to accept relief. we must use our heads and our hands to help our selves. We ought to pay our debts now. I preach that to my people.”

So ended a brief but pleasant visit. The farmer-preacher expressed views typical of many of his fellow Mennonites. As I turned to go the straight-forward and hard working elder tuned to join his son in sowing next year’s supply of wheat. He was sure God would nurture it and supply the increase as he had so bountifully done in all previous times. — Winfield Fretz.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1974 Sept 19 p. 3

text of obituary:

Over 1,000 Attend Funeral

Aged Church Leader Dies

HESSTON, KAN. — More than 1,000 persons were present at the Meridian Mennonite Church near here last Sunday afternoon as funeral services were held for for Min. Frank H. Wenger, 87, one of the most widely known ministers of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite.

Min. Wenger died Sept. 13 at Mercy Hospital in Moundridge after a long illness.

Ordained at the Meridian Church in 1917, he served in the ministry for 57 years. In 1921 he was chosen as an evangelist by the General Conference of his church. He traveled widely as an evangelist and in the interest of missionary outr3each, and visited 13 foreign countries as well as many states and provinces.

HE SERVED in various positions of leadership in the District and General conferences of his church, including that of moderator of the General Conference. For a number of years he represented the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite on the Mennonite Central Committee. He formerly wrote doctrinal articles for the church's publication, The Messenger of Truth.

Min. Wenger married Anna Dueck in 1910, and she died in 1935. In 1936 he married Mary Boeckner Peters, and she survives, along with five sons and 10 daughters; one step-son and one step-daughter 58 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren.

TWO OF HIS SONS and the step-son are ministers in the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite.

Min. Harold Schmidt, pastor of the Meridian Church, presided at the funeral. Min. Milferd Wenger of rural Newton, a nephew and long-time co-worker with Min. Wenger, read the obituary and gave the message. Min. Albert Unruh of Montezuma gave a brief message, reflecting on Min. Wenger's life and work. About seven persons in the audience gave testimonies concerning his ministry.

The closing remarks and prayer were offered by Min. Reuben Koehn of Goltry, Okla. Graveside services were conducted by Min. Francis Peters of Walnut Hill, Fla. Ministers from Kansas and several nearby states attended the services.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1974 Sept 26 p. 11

text of obituary:

MIN. FRANK H. WENGER

Frank H. Wenger, son of Absolom [sic Absalom] and Sarah (Holdeman) Wenger, was born near Moundridge, Kan. on Feb. 27, 1887, died at Mercy Hospital, Moundridge, on Sept. 13, 1974 at the age of 87.

Father lived in the Moundridge-Hesston community all his life. At the age of 19 he was converted, and was baptized by Minister Daniel Holdeman, becoming a member of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite.

On Feb. 27, 1910 he married Anna Dueck at Hillsboro, Kan. She died Jan. 25, 1935, leaving him with nine children. On Jan. 13, 1936 he married Mary (Boeckner) Peters of the Meridian congregation. Two sons and four daughters were born to this union. The family also includes one son and one daughter born to Mary during her marriage to Ransom Peters. He died in 1932.

The secular occupation of father was farming, which he enjoyed, but he was especially interested in the things of the Kingdom of God. He loved to have people, especially children, around him. We as a family deeply appreciated our father's depth of spiritual understanding, his kindness, faithfulness, courage and vision. He was always concerned for the salvation of souls, and his concern included his family, brothers and sisters, and all people everywhere. He enjoyed all sorts of people, and was able to converse on a wide variety of subjects and issues, especially those relating to the spiritual kingdom.

Father was ordained to the Gospel ministry on Dec. 9, 1917 at the Meridian Church by M. C. Fricke, and served actively for 56 years. His was a busy life in many labors both at home and abroad. He was chairman-pastor of the Meridian congregation for many years. He labored extensively in revival and evangelistic work, traveling far and wide. He was given responsibility in a number of positions in the church. He had a passionate concern for the welfare of the Church and the propagation of the faith "once delivered to the saints."

Throughout his illnesses of the last year and a half, he expressed his readiness to meet the Lord in his heavenly home.

Surviving are his devoted companion; 17 children and their companions, Harry and Gladys Wenger of Hesston, Alice and Howard Miller of Louisville, Ga., Elda and Orlie Koehn of Montezuma, Kan., Ruth and Orval Johnson and Josephine and Sam Jantz, all of Atmore, Ala., Paul and Elizabeth Wenger of Stapleton, Ga., Evy and Velma Wenger and Grace and Jay D. Diller, all of Atmore, Ala., Alice and John Dyck of Moundridge, Edith and Bernard Koehn of Montezuma, Maynard and Vera Peter of Stapleton,Ga., Verna and Clarence Schmidt of Newton, Vesta and Verle Peters and John and Kathleen Wenger, all of Atmore, Ala., Mary Ann and Jay Nikkle and Martha and Allan Koehn, all of Louisville, Ga., and Glen and Kay Wenger of Moundridge; 58 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren; one brother, John S. Wenger of Pikesville, Md.; two sisters, Martha Mueller of New York City and Mary McConnaughy of Wichita, Kan.

Preceding him in death in addition to his first wife were a daughter Margaret in childhood, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, on brother and four sisters. — The Family.