Genevieve Wenum, 90

Genevieve Grace Wenum, age 90 of Spring Valley, Wis., died Wednesday, Dec. 26, at the Spring Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Genevieve was born July 1, 1922, in Barnum, Minn., the daughter of Wm. Jasper and Jennie (Barber) Gilbert. She was baptized and confirmed at the Barnum Methodist Church and graduated from Barnum High School in 1940. Gen continued her education at Minnesota School of Business in Duluth. She also attended business college in Iowa. While working for the University of Minnesota, she met her future husband, Palmer G. Wenum. They were married June 2, 1945, at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.

They eventually settled in Spring Valley and raised their family of seven children. Gen worked a variety of jobs. She worked for Northwest Airlines, as a teller at the Bank of Spring Valley, and as secretary for Bob Gavic. She was bookkeeper for the Village of Spring Valley and took care of the tax roll. She was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Spring Valley and served as secretary. During the time the Eau Galle Dam was being built, she worked for S.J. Groves Construction, the company that built the dam.

Gen had many talents. She was an expert bread maker, quilter, avid reader, and did colorization of black and white photos for her husband, Palmer. Gen was a pianist and played saxophone. In her younger years, she performed at various events. She was also the first Queen of Snows in Barnum.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Palmer, who died in 1999; sons-in-law, Doug Blegen and Jerry Nelson; and siblings, Delmer Gilbert, Thelma Hals, Lewis Gilbert, Mabel Hecker, Lloyd Gilbert, Glen Gilbert, Ruth Dahlberg, and infant twins.

She is survived by her seven children: sons: Theodore (Bev) Wenum, Menomonie, Wis.; Paul (Mary) Wenum, Bloomington, Minn.; John (Sherry) Wenum, Milwaukee, Wis.; James Wenum, Spring Valley; Gordon (Debbie) Wenum, Albert Lea, Minn.; daughters: Jean Blegen, Spring Valley; Mary Nelson, Spring Valley; nine grandchildren, Laura (Matt) Pommier, Corrina (Justin) Holt, Catherine (Jeff) Dix, Andrea Blegen, Angela Wenum, Jessica Wenum, Brian (Missi) Blegen, Mitchell Wenum, and Sarah Wenum; and three great-grandchildren, Claire Jeanette Pommier, Henry Douglas Pommier, and Genevieve Grace Dix; other relatives and friends.

Funeral service was at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Spring Valley, with Rev. Erin Nelson officiating. Visitation was on Saturday from 3-5 p.m. at Keehr Funeral Home and at church for 1 hour prior to the service on Sunday. Music was provided by organist Mary Nelson. Burial was in Gilman Lutheran Cemetery, Spring Valley.

Honorary pallbearer was son Theodore Wenum. Pallbearers were sons Paul Wenum, John Wenum, James Wenum, and Gordon Wenum, and grandsons, Brian Blegen and Mitch Wenum.

Keehr Funeral Home (www.keehrfuneralhome.com) in Spring Valley assisted the family with arrangements.

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