Wendy Ann Lensen, 49, of Cascade, passed away early Tuesday morning, March 6, 2018 with her family by her side following a courageous fight with ovarian cancer.
Born May 13, 1968 in Sheboygan, Wendy was the daughter of Randall and Katherine Schmeda Lensen. She attended Lyman Elementary School, Horace Mann Middle School and graduated from Plymouth High School in 1986. She continued her education at Kansas State University, U.W. Platteville and at Lakeshore Technical College.
Wendy began her career in Hospitality at the Sports Core and Blackwolf Run in Kohler. She had finally found her love in Hospitality. She found new friends, many of which became lifelong companions. She became part of their family and they of her’s, even participating in births of their children and becoming God-mother to many. You see, she dearly loved children even though she had no “human” children of her own. She always remembered the “Golfers” and “locals” who came to Blackwolf to “her” bar. She knew what their favorite cocktails were and made sure they had a memorable experience.
In 2005 she found her forever home at Trattoria Stefano's. Stefano and Whitney welcomed her to their family and the restaurant family. The staff was not just staff; they became her extended family and dear friends. She blossomed at Stefano’s, met many forever friends. She made the many restaurant patrons feel welcome and at home. She made sure their needs were met, talked about their family and interests, making sure they knew serving them was not just her job, but her passion and wanted to share that passion with them. She greeted all with her smile. Stefano and Whitney gave her the opportunity to travel around the country bringing new experiences to enhance her duties at the restaurants. The trip to Italy, Stefano and Whitney provided, was the high light of her travels.
She loved to travel, especially to warm places with many friends she met at the restaurants like St. Thomas, Jamaica, The Dominican Republic and Brazil. She especially loved shopping, jewelry and her closets full of shoes. No matter how she felt, she will always be remembered for her sense of style, her laughter and her smile. One of her greatest gifts was her ability to make strangers feel like family.
Her life became complete with the addition of her only nephew, Nicholas and the adoption of her constant companion, her dog, Gradie. Mention of either of their names, caused her to pull out her phone and share with you her many pictures of Nicholas and Gradie.
Wendy is survived by her mom and dad, Kathie and Randy Lensen, Cascade; her brother, Tim (Sherri) Lensen, Sheboygan; her nephew, Nick Lensen, Sheboygan; aunts and uncles, Edward Schmeda, Appleton, William (Marlene) Schmeda, Green Bay, JoAnn Schmeda, Random Lake, and David (Mary Lynn) Schmeda, Green Bay; numerous cousins, God children, other relatives and many friends. She is further survived by her best friend, Gradie.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Edward and Elaine Schmeda, her paternal grandparents, Tony and Mary Green, and her aunt, Judith Sagar.
Services for Wendy will take place at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 11, 2018 at the Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service,
1132 Superior Avenue
. Fr. Dan Lesecki will officiate. Family and friends are welcome at the Olson Funeral Home on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service. Immediately following, a reception to celebrate Wendy's life will take place at Trattoria Stefano's.
A memorial fund has been established in her name for Morris Animal Foundation 3000 Strong, the Sheboygan County Humane Society, Pink Heels and the Ovarian Cancer Coalition.
The family would like to thank her new best friend, Dr. Mark Bettag and his staff at the Sheboygan Cancer & Blood Specialists. Also to the nurses and staff of St. Nicholas Hospital, especially Kris Cvetan, and her surgeon, Dr. Denise Uyar at Froedtert Hospital & Medical College of Wisconsin for all of their loving care and support.
The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Wendy's arrangements.
