William "Bill" S. Wenke, Jr.

William “Bill” Sterling Wenke, Jr. 85, of Pender, NE, passed away on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at Heritage of Emerson Nursing Home in Emerson, NE. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender.

Sterling and Geneva (Teare) Wenke are the parents of William Sterling, known as, Bill to family and friends. He was the eldest of their three children. Bill was born on August 11, 1939, at the Pender Hospital. After graduating from Pender High School in 1957, he attended Dana College in Blair, NE. While in college, Bill played on the football team. He fulfilled military duty in the National Guard. On October 31, 1964, Bill was united in marriage to Maureen G. McQuistan at the United Methodist Church in Pender, NE. To this union Brad and Nicole were born. In 1963, Bill became employed with G&G Manufacturing of Omaha. For eleven years, he served this company in the capacities of sales and as plant manager. Bill and Maureen moved back to Pender, where he owned Wenke Manufacturing until retiring. Bill served two terms on the Pender-Thurston School Board. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved gardening and especially trees; he served on the board of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, as well as many years on the Pender Tree Board and Greenspace Committee. Bill earned his private pilot’s license, where he made many memories of family trips in the plane. He took numerous trips to Canada with his buddies for memorable fishing. Bill loved to travel. Two trips to New Zealand were highlights as were several summers sailing excursions with his friend, John Biles.

Bill is survived by his wife, Maureen Wenke; son, William Bradley Wenke; daughter, Nicole (Mike) Given; grandchildren, Madelyn Given and Brook Wenke; sister, Janice Roberts; brother, Paul Wenke.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sterling and Geneva Wenke; in-laws, Edward and Geraldine McQuistan; and a granddaughter, Hope Wenke.