MONROE — Rose Wenger has seemingly never slowed down. Now in her 80s, she said she simply gets too much joy and relaxation from staying involved, volunteering and helping others. 

When she isn’t spending time with family, she can be found serving — many veterans, youth and others — which is the best way she knows how to enjoy life. 

She was born in Darlington, raised on a farm after her father stopped making cheese. She was milking cows by the time she was 4 years old — responsible for the hand milking of two cows at 4:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. each day.  

She has fond memories growing up with her two older sisters on the farm. She said they would look at catalogs and make up games. “Ball” was often played with a walnut and a tree limb, and she recalls her parents tuning in the radio only for the news. 

“We knew never to mention we were bored,” she said with a smile. “Unless we wanted to pull thistles or pick up rocks.”

She attended Otter Creek School, a one-room country school house that offered curriculum in English for the little girl who was raised in a home whose dialogue was primarily Swiss. Wenger recalls coming home to report how strangely people spoke — and later on a note came home telling her parents they were to only speak English at home. 

She attended Darlington High School and was a good student who excelled in band. She played the saxophone and by sixth grade became first chair. 

After her graduation in 1953, Wenger had hoped to go on to college to become a teacher — encouraged by both her teachers and her principal. However, as the youngest child, she said she was needed on the family farm, and stayed for another 18 months to work there. 

She met her husband, Fritz, an immigrant from Switzerland, at Turner Hall and the couple was soon married. She said her father was happy she married a Swiss man, and after their wedding trip to Baraboo, she returned Monday to do chores on her parents’ farm while they took their last trip before having to hire help. 

Fritz had served in the Swiss Army and was soon drafted. Wenger went with him to basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Being in an apartment during the day while she was used to working was a change that made her uncomfortable. 

She saw a sign asking for “grape pickers” and, without telling Fritz, began spending her days picking grapes for 75 cents a basket. When she became homesick, she was happy to have the extra funds around. However, Fritz preferred if she insisted on working, she do it on the base.  

Wenger became a waitress on the base, working the 3 p.m. to midnight shift, but on her third day she was asked to manage the snack bar from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. She said the hours were nothing to balk at for a farm girl and she enjoyed the job, staying until Fritz was moved. 

Fritz was able to get his U.S. Citizenship before he was sent to Korea. She stayed at Camp Pendleton in California, pumping gas there to stay busy. Although she enjoyed the sunny state, she knew she wouldn’t stay forever. 

“I loved my seasons too much,” she said.

The couple returned to Monroe in 1955, moving to town, where Fritz continued his work in construction. The couple later built a home in the country, and then went into business for themselves to build homes for others, starting Fritz Wenger Builders. 

Their family grew and the couple had five children. Wenger helped with the business behind the scenes and stayed busy with involvement as well. They had the business for 25 years. 

“I loved every minute of it,” she said.

The children were heavily involved in 4-H and Wenger was a leader, helping the group care for a park on County N. The group also took woodworking courses with Albert Deppeler and Wenger assisted him as the superintendent of woodworking for the Green County Fair for about 20 years.

Both Wenger and Fritz helped coach the Swiss-American Gymnastics Club at Turner Hall. She enjoyed teaching the children. Fritz had experience with gymnastics in Switzerland and was happy to carry on the heritage.

Fritz also joined the American Legion when he returned to Monroe and Wenger became involved as well.  She served in many posts, including officer and president. She also was part of starting the junior unit then, involving younger people. She said through the years her group has done several things for which she’s proud. 

Eventually, after all of her involvement, Wenger said she was asked to volunteer at the VA hospital in Madison and started helping in 1998. She became the Green County American Legion Auxiliary President and later became the Department of Wisconsin American Legion Auxiliary state president and volunteered. 

Her theme became: “United We Stand: Be a Rose to Veterans.”

Wenger began serving in 2008 as the American Legion Auxiliary Representative for VA Hospital in Madison, and it’s a job she looks forward to each day. Part of her duties is organizing donations. The first year she took over around $8,000 came in — this year that number is already at $43,000, and it’s only July. 

“Everyone gets a handwritten thank you note,” Wenger said, noting that strong relationships she’s built with units have been encouraging for the program. 

Wenger also works closely with epileptic patients at the hospital in Madison but makes her rounds all over the hospital. 

“I’m a people person,” she said. “I enjoy people. If I can help them and make a difference — that’s all I care about.”

Wenger has received several plaques, awards and recognition through the years, but feels the credit truly goes to the units and the people who have always supported her — and of course, the veterans.

About 800 to 1,100 patients come through the VA hospital doors each day. Wenger said the bustling hospital is where she feels at home. She said it’s not uncommon for patients to keep in touch with her — one couple has sent hundreds of filled Christmas stockings each year because of the closeness they felt to Wenger when she visited them.

“They become family to me,” she said. “It’s just heartwarming that people remember you after they’re gone. It’s just amazing.”

Wenger offers tours of the hospital and has taken several groups of Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packer athletes through the hospital. She holds a high respect for those who have always been inquisitive and kind to her. Badger player D’Cota Dixon shared a personal story with her and she cried when she saw him reunite with his mother during the Florida Orange Bowl on television. He personally called Wenger on her birthday.

“That was the best birthday present,” she said. “Knowing that I touched him enough that he remembered.”

She spends two to three days each week at the hospital, taking on duties and spending time with patients. Fritz is currently a patient there and he joins her sometimes. She also serves on the volunteering committee.

“When I leave that hospital and I know I’ve helped a veteran, that’s all I care,” she said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better climax after my presidency than this.”

She said the veterans remembering her is heartwarming. The stacks of thank you notes she receives are worth spending her days driving to Madison. She was recently recognized for 10,000 hours of volunteering.

Another program close to Wenger’s heart is Badger Girls State. She started as a counselor for the group and still chairs the committee that holds interviews and chooses those selected from Monroe High School. She also still plays with the City Band in Monroe, something she’s done for about 60 years. She’s an involved member of the Bell Choir at St. John’s Church where she taught Sunday School, ushered and served communion through the years. She is also still a member of the Zilmer Riley 84 Legion Post in Monroe.

Wenger has also had national appointments in the past, but in recent years has backed away from heavier commitments she once held. 

“My plate was full,” she said.

To relax during all of her involvement through the years, Wenger found some solace in China painting. She learned with a friend several years ago and taught classes in Darlington, Monroe and Freeport for a while. Today, she still makes gifts for loved ones, takes orders and paints to find her creative side and relax. 

“Every day you paint you’re in a different mood,” she said.

Through the years, Wenger was very family oriented. She has wonderful memories of family vacations. The family purchased a place on the Sugar River and the children helped build the cottage there. It’s still a favorite spot for the grandchildren to make memories and relax. 

The couple travels less now, but she and Fritz still enjoy day trips whenever they can and still love to spend time with family. They will soon be married 64 years. They have five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. 

Wenger said she lives her life by the three Fs: Faith, family and friends – and by making that her priority, she said “the hills will never be too steep.” 

He has several sayings that come to her when she thinks of her life, but there’s one she repeats often:

“Yesterday’s history. Tomorrow’s a mystery. Enjoy today. It’s a gift. That’s why they call it a present.”