Emogene Louise “Gene” Wente, 97, of Racine, died on October 10, 2016. Born on May 7, 1919, in Hubbordston, MI, she was the daughter of the late Ernest and Etta Nette (Burch) Grill. She grew up in Lansing, MI, and graduated from Central High School in 1937. She graduated from Miami University in Oxford, OH, in 1941 with a B.S. in Business Administration. She worked as an Assistant to the Quality Manager at Wright Aeronautical Company in Cincinnati, OH, where she met the love of her life and future husband, Robert Hugo Wente. During the 2nd World War Robert "Bob" was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and was stationed at the Kenosha Nash plant which was making aircraft engines for the Navy. They were married on July 24, 1943, in Kenosha. During the war years she volunteered at the Kenosha office of the Red Cross in the Kenosha Youth Foundation. Gene was active in many groups and activities. She belonged to the Kenosha Hospital Auxiliary and volunteered in the hospital coffee shop and volunteer station for many years. She belonged to the Kenosha Country Club for over fifty years and served a term as golf chairman and then President of the Ladies Golf Association. She was the Club “A Class Champion” in 1992 and the Club “B Class Champion” in 1996. She was an active member of the First Congregational Church in Kenosha; she served on the diaconate and taught Sunday School for many years. Her hobbies included sewing, golfing, playing bridge and reading. She loved fashion and made or altered many of her outfits; using her creative talents she also made curtains, sofa covers, doll clothes, hats, and numerous other items. After Bob’s retirement in 1981 the Wentes wintered at the Seven Springs Golf and Country Club in New Port Richey, FL, for many years. They spent much of their time together golfing, walking, or socializing with friends and family. Gene moved to Racine after her husband’s death in 2007. She resided at Lake Oaks Senior Apartments and more recently at Racine Commons. Gene and Bob raised five children, two sons and three daughters, in Kenosha. They were very involved in their children’s schools and sports activities. Gene was a loving wife and devoted, caring mother. She will be greatly missed by her five children, Steven (LeaAnn) Wente and David (Janet) Wente, both of Kenosha, Susan Wente and Sandra (Loren) Sparks, both of Racine, and Ann Clark of Boulder, CO. She will also be missed by her six grandchildren: Richard (Wendy) Pugh; Michael (Genevieve Pazdan) Pugh; Adrienne Wente; and Alex (Jasmine Strouse), Adam, and Aaron Wente. Gene also leaves behind six great-grandchildren, Gracelyn (16), Abigail (15), Ava (13), Griffin (6), Paloma (2), and Everett (6 months). Gene was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Robert H. Wente. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Virginia Haeger, of Lansing, MI; and a grandson, Brant Clark of Boulder, CO. The family would like extend a special thank you to the staff at Hospice Alliance for the wonderful care given to their mother. A memorial gathering will be held at the Proko Funeral Home, 5111-60th Street, Kenosha, WI, on Friday, October 14th, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be held at Green Ridge Cemetery privately. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit and Sign Gene’s Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com