A funeral Mass for Dr. Harold A. Wente will be held 11:00AM, Saturday, February 28, 2015 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Rochester with Rev. John Lasuba officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00PM on Friday, February 27, 2015 at the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and also one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester.

Dr. Wente, 92, died at Madonna Towers of natural causes.

He was born August 29, 1922 in Moose Lake, Minnesota. He graduated from St. Thomas University and the University of Minnesota Medical School. At the U of M, Hal met the love of his life; Mary Elaine Daly and married her at St. John's Church in Rochester on June 16, 1945. They started their family in San Francisco as he served in the Army as a Transport Surgeon, aboard the US Hospital Ship Comfort and numerous army transport ships.

In 1949 he returned to Rochester and began a solo medical practice that eventually grew into the Olmsted Medical Center. He served as President of the Olmsted Medical Center for many years. During that time he served on the Minnesota State Board of Health, the Minnesota Academy of General Practice, the American Group Practice Association and the Mayo Medical School Admissions Committee.

Survivors include his wife, Elaine, of 70 years, his sister, Maxine Closner of Northfield; sister-in-law, Margaret (Peg) Wente and his children, Sr. Anne Wente, RSCJ of San Diego, CA; Mary Wente (Paula Bank) of La Crosse, WI; Barbara Wente of St. Paul, MN; Kevin (Colleen) Wente of Rochester; Thomas (Ellen) Wente of Rochester; Elissa (Mike) Zeman of Wayzata, MN; Teresa (Dave) Bridges of Shoreview, MN; son-in-law Gregory Green of Menomonie, WI seventeen grandchildren, Erin Wente, Jeremiah (Nicole) Wente, Elizabeth (Josh) Bull, Kathryn Wente, Maureen (Ryan) Thomas, Matthew Green, Madeline (Christian) Ray, Joseph Wente, William Wente, Anne Wente, Timothy Wente, Alexander Zeman, Eleanor Zeman, Gregory Zeman, Karl Bridges, Jack Bridges and Eleanor Bridges; and ten great-grandchildren, Eleanor Wente, Lauren Wente, Daly Wente, Thomas Wente, Liam Thomas, Connor Thomas, Gavin Thomas, Ronan Thomas and Oliver Ray. He was preceded in death by his daughter Kathleen Green and his brother, Eugene (Margaret) Wente.

Hal was a man of extraordinary vision and energy, which he brought to both his personal and professional life. He had a sense of adventure and curiosity that shaped almost everything he did. He was an innovator in every aspect of his life from the formation of the Medical Group to the everyday experiences he created for his family. Hal was an incredible storyteller; but there was no story more interesting than his own which he and Elaine captured in a book for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He encountered an endless number of fascinating people and wonderful friends throughout his life and he was quick to embrace them. Hal was strong in his faith, from Newman Center leadership at the U of M, to his ardent support of his St., John's Parish Community and Catholic education. He was deeply blessed.

For those wishing to make a charitable contribution in Hal's memory, the family suggests memorials to the Olmsted Medical Foundation, The Lourdes Foundation, Madonna Living Community or the donor's choice.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com