Monelle R. Wenzel

Monelle Rubena Wenzel, beloved daughter, sister and aunt, passed peacefully June 11, 2020, after a valiant, fifteen year battle with Melanoma. Born December 31, 1947 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada, she was the fourth and youngest child of Charles Ernest Wenzel and Rubena Francis Wenzel. While both sides of the family were tall, Monelle was born premature and never grew past 5'2". But what she lacked in physical stature she made up for with mental and physical determination. Monelle was an accomplished pianist in her early years, winning several awards in high school. She played drums in the high school band, was a cheerleader and an exceptional, life-long athlete who loved to ski and hike. As a child Monelle loved horses, eventually owning her own thoroughbred, Copper Chieftan, whom she broke with kisses rather than whips.After graduating from PACI high school in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Monelle attended St. Paul's School of Nursing in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where she earned her nursing degree. She moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 1971 to be near her sister, Bev. Monelle was a life-long learner, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from OCU in 1998, a Master of Business Administration degree from UCO in 2001, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from SW OSU in 2003.Monelle was a RN at Baptist (now INTEGRIS) Hospital from 1971 to 1988 and then moved into Physician Services at INTEGRIS Health, helping to build, staff and run many of their satellite clinics. She retired in 2010 as Director of Marketing/Business Development, culminating a career as a health professional spanning 39 years, all at INTEGRIS Health.Monelle served on the Boards of March of Dimes, Taste for Sight, Prevent Blindness, Oklahoma City Running Club, Ski Club, and Lyric Theatre Associate Board. She volunteered for the Festival of the Arts, Stage Center, Philharmonic Symphony Show House, and Heritage Hills Home Tour.Monelle was a passionate traveler, mountain hiking for 40 consecutive years in Colorado and the Pacific Northwest, particularly the Mt. Shuksan, Mt. Baker and Mt. Rainier areas. In her late 20's she took a 10 month sabbatical to backpack Europe and Asia, including Iran, Afghanistan, Nepal, Pakistan, and India. There were many trips to the Caribbean as well as Tahiti, Morea and Bora Bora in the South Pacific.A devoted sister and aunt, Monelle also cherished time with her best friends Dottie Marple, Jan Harris, and Sue Cappadona, as well as the OTB group from BMC OR and Jo and Jim Booher. Monelle will always be known for her love of cats. She had 8 rescued cats throughout her life. Monelle was preceded in death by her father Ernie Wenzel, her brother Don Wenzel , and her sister Lynn Dickinson.She is survived by her 106 year old mother, Rubena Wenzel of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada; her sister and best friend Bev and brother-in-law Roy Smith of Oklahoma City; her niece Ashley Dahnke of Oklahoma City; brother-in-law George Dahnke and Barbara Dahnke of Oklahoma City, and her beloved kitty, Sophie. She also leaves several cousins, nieces and nephew, and sister-in-law Barbara Wenzel, all in Canada, and Roy's daughters Cristy, Kelly and Courtney and their families.The family wishes to thank MD Anderson specialists Jeffrey Lee M.D. and Rodabe Amaria M.D. for their excellent care and INTEGRIS physicians Brian Geister M.D., Erin Glasgow M.D., Elizabeth Gawey M.D., and David Stokesberry M.D. You have been there with Monelle since the beginning and your wonderful efforts and care helped her survive 15 years with Stage IV metastatic melanoma, and we are grateful. We also thank Stacey, her wonderful hospice nurse and all the staff at the INTEGRIS Hospice House for their kindness to us and for providing peace to Monelle during her final days.A memorial service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church at a date when it is safe to gather. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that a memorial contribution may be made in Monelle's memory to INTEGRIS Hospice House, 13920 Quailbrook Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73134 or Tara Miller Melanoma Foundation, P. O. Box 3154, Margate, NJ 08402 (taramillerfoundation.org).