Diane M. Wensel Obituary
BLUE MOUNDS - Diane M. Wensel, age 75, passed away unexpectedly on May 23, 2024, in her home in Blue Mounds, Wis.
She was born July 18, 1949 in Lancaster, Wis., to Merlin and Darlene (Niles) Adams.
Diane met her soulmate, Alfred "Butch" Wensel in 1968 and were married in 1969. They enjoyed riding Butch's motorcycle, going to the races, fishing, and camping. They settled down to raise their family in La Crosse, Wis. While enjoying all La Crosse had to offer, she discovered she was really good at shooting pool (wining many trophies) and enjoyed her Coulee Cuties Group.
After graduating from Western Wisconsin Technical Services, she found her calling in life. Helping people. She worked for La Crosse County Human Services as a supervisor for many years. It was there that she decided to "bring her work home" with her. Diane and Butch decided to open their home and help children and teens that had unfortunate living arrangements and took them in as foster children. Over a span of 13 years, they took in 17 foster girls. In 1993, Diane and Butch moved to Madison, Wis.
Diane was always an advocate for her community fighting for many different causes. Later in life she became involved with the LGBTQ community and found it to be her new passion. In 2005, she started volunteering where she was needed. From 2005 to 2007, volunteered for Action/Fair Wisconsin, working as many as 40+ hours a week for them. She also became PFLAG vice president and then president. During these years she worked closely with Tammy Baldwin, Madison Outreach, ACLU and Madison Pride. She won many awards of recognition including having her name placed on the Wall of Tolerance in Montgomery, Alabama. As she aged, she gave up volunteering but still considered herself a LGBTQ activist.
Diane is survived by her children, Darcey Seifert, Amber Wensel (Gena Luettinger), and Tory (Lisle) Wensel; her brothers and sisters, Darrell (Debbie) Adams, Joe (Julie) Adams, Paul (Ann) Adams, Mary Tunison, Pam (Paul) Schumacher and Lori Maher.
She was proceeded in death by her husband, Alfred "Butch" Wensel; her infant son, Ryan Wensel; her parents, Merlin and Darlene Adams; her brothers, Douglas and Terry; her sister, Brenda; and son-in-law, Gary Seifert.
There will be a celebration of life from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., on June 22, 2024, at THE RED MOUSE, 3738 County Rd P, Cross Plains. Lunch will not be served but there will be as mom put it "munchies". Diane will have a private burial at a later. She will be buried alongside her husband at Sand Creek Cemetery.
All Faiths Funeral & Cremation Services of Madison is assisting the family.
