The funeral mass for Eugene Edward Wente will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 20 ^th , 2014 at St. Pius Church in Rochester, MN with Reverend Paul Nelson officiating.  Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester with Military Honors provided by American Legion Post 92. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home Wednesday, February 19 ^th and one hour prior to the funeral services.

Gene passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Maple Manor Nursing Home Sunday after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.

Gene was born May 24 ^th , 1924 to Aloysius and Anna (Bergfeld) Wente in Moose Lake, MN.  Growing up he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and sports graduating from Moose Lake High School in 1942.  He attended the College of St. Thomas in the fall and entered the Navy V-12 program in December of 1942.  Following an honorable discharge in 1946 he returned from the South Pacific to St. Thomas to earn a degree in Teaching and Physical Education.  While attending St. Thomas Gene met Margaret "Peggy" Dandois, whom he married on August 7, 1948 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Gene and Peggy moved to Rochester in 1948 where he took a teaching job with Lourdes High School under Father Albert Perrizo.  A full-time teacher for over 30 years, Gene also started the Track Program at Lourdes and organized the first junior high athletic programs in Rochester.  After completing his Master's Degree in Education in 1950, Gene coached the team to 6 consecutive state track and field championships.

As Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus, Gene started the annual KC track meet in 1956 and organized the first science fair held in the Catholic Schools.  He received the prestigious "Teacher of the Year" Award in 1960 and was inducted into the Lourdes Hall of Fame in 2010.  Prior to his illness, Gene was an avid fisherman, enjoyed watching team sports, and playing pool and cards with friends.

Gene is survived by his wife Peggy of 65 years, 11 children, Stephen (Nancy) of Connecticut, Susan (Ted) Johnson of Rochester, Tim (Lori) of Minnesota, John (Ann) of Colorado, Marianne (Patrick) Newell of Colorado, Mike (Vicki) of Wisconsin, Maggie (Bill) McGillicuddy of Illinois, Geno (Sandy) of Rochester, Erich of Wisconsin, Mikki of Colorado, and Patrick (Claudia) of Kentucky, 14 grandchildren; one brother, Dr. Harold (Elaine) Wente of Rochester and one sister, Maxine Closner of Northfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorials should be directed to St. Pius Church, Lourdes High School, or to the charity of your choice.