George Wenzel Sr. was born near Berlin, Germany on 13 March 1871 and came to the United States with his parents, Martin and Wilhelmina Mielke Wenzel in 1879. George married Bertha Gunther on 7 January 1893. Bertha was born on 17 March 1871 in Germany. Her father was Frederick Gunther.

George and Bertha had the following children:

1. George Carl Wenzel was born 20 November 1893. George married Hazel Dunham on 30 November 1918.  They had twelve children.

2. Gertrude Bertha Wenzel was born 10 February 1895. Gertrude married Henry Tester on 26 August 1913. They had four children.

3. Henry August Wenzel was born 20 December 1896.  Henry married Clara Buchele on 14 June 1923. They had one daughter.

4. William August Wenzel was born 23 June 1898.  William married Doris Londry on 20 November 1920. They had five children.  Doris died on 6 January 1956.  William also married Norine Prudden.

5. Bertha Gertrude Wenzel was born 4 May 1900. Bertha married William Rohn on 27 January 1917.  They had five children.

6. Edward Otto Fred Wenzel was born 26 November 1901. Edward married Beatrice Bulman on 24 December 1926. They had two sons.

7. Herman Wenzel was born 27 March 1904. Herman married Ethel Merel Laking on 19 March 1932.  They had one son.

8. Elsie Emma Wenzel was born 27 January 1906. Elsie married William Hutfilz on 26 April 1925. They had five children.

9. Helena Julia Wilhelmina "Lena" Wenzel was born 22 April 1908. Helena Julia married Fred Schultz on 14 June 1924. They had four children.

George purchased 200 acres of land to farm in Lakefield Township on Fenmore Road between Roosevelt and Lakefield Roads; 160 acres in Section 15 where he built his home and across the road he owned 40 acres in Section 1

 The George Wenzel Family: Back Row - L to R:  Bill Wenzel, Doris Wenzel holding Marian, Ed Wenzel, Beatrice Wenzel, Elsie Wenzel Hutfilz, Bill Hutfilz, Clara Wenzel, Henry Wenzel, Bertha Wenzel Rohn holding Clarence, Bill Rohn, Lena Wenzel Schultz, Fred Schultz, Hazel Wenzel, George Wenzel holding Lyla; Front Row - L to R: Mark Wenzel, Annabelle Wenzel, Donald Rohn, Dorothy Rohn, mother Bertha Wenzel, Herman Wenzel, father George Wenzel Sr., Wilma Rohn, Bud Wenzel, Ken Wenzel, Georgianna Wenzel;  Missing: Gertrude Wenzel Tester and Family.

The George Wenzel Family - Back Row: L to R -  Bill Wenzel, Herman Wenzel, Bill and Bertha Wenzel Rohn, Henry and Gertrude Wenzel Tester, George Wenzel holding Dale, Hazel Wenzel, Doris Wenzel holding Henry, Beatrice Wenzel, Elsie Wenzel Hutfilz holding Don Schultz, Lena Wenzel Schultz holding Viola, Fred Schultz, Bill Hutfilz, and Henry (Hank) Wenzel. Front Row: L to R - Lyla Wenzel, Marian Wenzel, Dorothy Rohn, Mark Wenzel, Donald Rohn, Wilma Rohn, Clarence Rohn, mother Bertha Wenzel, Wayne Tester, Father George Wenzel Sr., Marian Wenzel, Ken Wenzel, Georgianna Wenzel and Bud Wenzel.

George was a hard working individual with an incredible sense of humor.  He served as the Lakefied Road Commissioner for years and was appointed as Sexton to Lakefield Township Cemetery on 3 April 1916.  George also served as Lakefield Township Justice of the Peace.

According to the Saginaw News – the City Chat Section: states the following: “The Farmers' Treshing Company is about to start operations at Merrill under the ownership of Nick House, Omer B. Parker, George Wenzel, Edward W. Miller, Paul Skela (Sklba), Will House, George Wenzel Sr., and Richard Welke, all of Merrill, according to papers filed by them at the county clerk's office.”

George and his entire family were great deer hunters and enjoyed the time they spent at deer hunting camp.

George died on 25 October 1947 and Bertha on 1 January 1951.  They are both buried in the Lakefield Township Cemetery.

SOURCES:  Granddaughter, Lois Hutfilz Rohde, information and photos;  Sherry L. Wielinski's genealogy and a photo; Lakefield Township Records; and the Saginaw News; Royal and Ada Miller Tolfree's marriage record - was the Justice of Peace for their marriage in 1915.