Gwen A Entorf
Gwendoline “Gwen” Ann Entorf of Menomonie.
Gwen passed away Monday February 25, 2008 at her home with Hospice, and her family, after a short but courageous battle with lung cancer.
Gwen was born August 25, 1932 to Leo and Gwendoline Sweeney in Coutes, Alberta, Canada. Gwen grew up and attended high school in Calgary Alberta, Canada. Following graduation from High School she attended St. Patrick’s School of Nursing in Missoula, Montana and graduated in August 1954 with a degree in nursing.
Following her graduation from nursing school she met and later married John F. Entorf, on July 31, 1958. Their union of 31 years was blessed with 5 children. Gwen found her passion in nursing and was an excellent and caring nurse who touched many people’s lives. She worked at Memorial Hospital in Menomonie in labor and delivery and helped bring many beautiful babies into the world. Gwen later became a supervisor at the Dunn County Health Care Center and retired from nursing there. Above all else Gwen was committed to her children and was very involved in their many and diverse activities as they grew up in Menomonie. Having four athletic daughters, Gwen was an advocate for and instrumental in bringing Title IX to Menomonie and worked tirelessly to assure that girls had equal opportunities to compete in sports. She was the ultimate fan of all five of her children’s many teams and later for her grandchildren’s teams. She uncomplainingly kept score of more 4-H softball games than we can count. She helped each of her children with every 4-H project ever raised, sewn, created and transported to the Dunn County Fair Grounds. Gwen continued to attend all of her grandchildren’s many and various events until her health would not allow. Gwen was a member of St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Menomonie.
The light of Gwen’s life were her grandchildren. She was the ultimate grandmother and her grandchildren will always carry the light she shone upon them.
Gwen is preceded in death by her parents, her husband John F. Entorf, and brother John Sweeney.
Gwen is survived by her five children, Kim and Frank Jedlicki of Georgetown KY; Pam Entorf and Kirk Johnson of Menomonie; Katy and Brad Claussen of Friendswood, TX; Paula and Kerry White of Onalaska, WI; John and Heidi Entorf of Menomonie; Sisters, Mary Brower of Round Up, MT; Ellen and Gerry Stewart of Kelowna, BC; Marguerite and Ed Knight of Dallas, TX; a sister-in-law, Mary Lou Sweeney of Helena, MT. Grandchildren, Elizabeth & Lauren Claussen, Kyle Raprager, Mia Grimme, Keenan Johnson, John P. Entorf, and Joseph Entorf. Many nieces and nephews, cousins and her best friend Ruth Kraft with whom she shared many adventures.
A special thank you to Dr. Gerry and Ellen Stewart for their unfailing care and devotion to Gwen during her battle with cancer, which allowed her to remain at home to the end. Also a thank you to Northwest Hospice nurses, Melanie and Angie. You are angles walking upon the earth.
A Private Memorial blessing of the cremains will be held at 3:00 PM Friday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Menomonie with Rev. Thomas Krieg officiating.
Gwen will be cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 1, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Menomonie.
Memorials are preferred for a Nursing Scholarship in Gwen’s name at Chippewa Valley Technical College.