Memorial Day
Written By: Johannah Wenig
I was on my hands and knees, pulling weeds from between the cracks in the parking lot with a promise of an orange push-pop as a reward. Many of my best childhood memories happened at Smith Funeral Home in Pardeeville, Wisconsin, the business and ministry of my mom’s family. As a child, I didn’t fully realize the impact of my family’s example to me of hard work, serving people, and building your community and career hand in hand.
When my grandpa died in '79, leaving my grandma with four young kids, two thriving businesses- a funeral home and a furniture store- and a full life ahead, Betty Lou faced trial and persevered through some of the greatest of challenges. She raised 4 kids and played the role of business owner, community servant, gracious hostess and beloved friend to all and any. When my aunt Gena graduated high school, she followed in her dad’s footsteps and became a funeral director. As a business woman, she used her influence to impact her community in many ways, the most memorable her work in establishing a Veteran’s Memorial Park and many, many community events to honor veterans. This patriotism was something my entire family valued and has been deeply rooted in me and my siblings as we continue to be passionate about policy, government, and community development. However, my aunt had to overcome many obstacles, just like my grandma, to succeed. After a car accident and surgery that wasn’t successful, my aunt Gena was paralyzed from the waist down and in a wheelchair. Limitation? Maybe. But you wouldn’t know it by her resolve to serve people, her incredibly busy life, and all of the successes God granted her in her life.
When my aunt Gena passed away in 2014 at the age of 45, it caused me to reflect on her and my grandma’s influence in my life and the example they have set. They helped form my love for community service, business, entrepreneurialism and ministry. When Gena died, I had just started a relationship with my now husband, who was going into funeral service after we graduated college. This (almost too close- but a great story!) connection to a future of business as ministry caused me to ask, “What limitations do I need to overcome to be fully equipped for the career and ministry God was calling me to do?”. Thus- I jumped into what I feel is one of the biggest conquering of fears to date to earn my Master of Business Administration. The overwhelming anxiety I felt as I saw my inadequacies, especially when “microeconomics”, “statistics”, and “business analytics” scrolled across my course list. As I graduated this spring, I realize it was just one step of diligence in the journey of being equipped for all God has called me to do.
Now it’s memorial day, and I’m picking weeds from the rocks around the veteran memorial plaque at Wenig Funeral Homes in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. As my husband enters a career and ministry as a funeral director, I wonder how my history, my passions and my defeating of what I thought were limitations will impact my future.
Regardless of the size of what seems to be a limitation, there is an abundant grace when we consider how God will “equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ” (Hebrews 13:21). Remember those who have helped form who you are today with honor by overcoming limitations with diligence- and grab yourself an orange push pop to celebrate.
When my grandpa died in '79, leaving my grandma with four young kids, two thriving businesses- a funeral home and a furniture store- and a full life ahead, Betty Lou faced trial and persevered through some of the greatest of challenges. She raised 4 kids and played the role of business owner, community servant, gracious hostess and beloved friend to all and any. When my aunt Gena graduated high school, she followed in her dad’s footsteps and became a funeral director. As a business woman, she used her influence to impact her community in many ways, the most memorable her work in establishing a Veteran’s Memorial Park and many, many community events to honor veterans. This patriotism was something my entire family valued and has been deeply rooted in me and my siblings as we continue to be passionate about policy, government, and community development. However, my aunt had to overcome many obstacles, just like my grandma, to succeed. After a car accident and surgery that wasn’t successful, my aunt Gena was paralyzed from the waist down and in a wheelchair. Limitation? Maybe. But you wouldn’t know it by her resolve to serve people, her incredibly busy life, and all of the successes God granted her in her life.
When my aunt Gena passed away in 2014 at the age of 45, it caused me to reflect on her and my grandma’s influence in my life and the example they have set. They helped form my love for community service, business, entrepreneurialism and ministry. When Gena died, I had just started a relationship with my now husband, who was going into funeral service after we graduated college. This (almost too close- but a great story!) connection to a future of business as ministry caused me to ask, “What limitations do I need to overcome to be fully equipped for the career and ministry God was calling me to do?”. Thus- I jumped into what I feel is one of the biggest conquering of fears to date to earn my Master of Business Administration. The overwhelming anxiety I felt as I saw my inadequacies, especially when “microeconomics”, “statistics”, and “business analytics” scrolled across my course list. As I graduated this spring, I realize it was just one step of diligence in the journey of being equipped for all God has called me to do.
Now it’s memorial day, and I’m picking weeds from the rocks around the veteran memorial plaque at Wenig Funeral Homes in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. As my husband enters a career and ministry as a funeral director, I wonder how my history, my passions and my defeating of what I thought were limitations will impact my future.
Regardless of the size of what seems to be a limitation, there is an abundant grace when we consider how God will “equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ” (Hebrews 13:21). Remember those who have helped form who you are today with honor by overcoming limitations with diligence- and grab yourself an orange push pop to celebrate.
How I Met The Author
As our family was adopted into the Free Church family, I had the pleasure of getting to know Damon Wenig. Damon immediately connected with my husband and I. We would often say that there was nothing better than seeing Damon's smiling face on Sunday mornings.... But it got even BETTER!!! From the first time I met Johannah (not yet Wenig), I knew that I was about to make a lifelong friend. Trying to describe her is like trying to put into words the best feeling you've ever had... it's just impossible. From random hand written notes in the mail to remind you that's she's thinking of and praying for you, to catching up on the latest episode of Scandal in between services... she's my girl. Her spirit and love for people is so pure but best of all it's never just talk; she always follows up with action... "Don't believe me just watch (her)". I know that God has an amazing calling on her life and I am so happy to be somewhere in her story and available to her on this journey we call life.