Laura Jane (Wiemers) Wentz, age 79, of Hondo, Texas, passed from this life to her eternal home in heaven on Saturday, December 8, 2012. Born December 10, 1932, at the family farm seven miles northeast of Hondo in the Vandenburg Community, Laura was the daughter of Otto Jacob and Emma Katerina (Schulte) Wiemers. She grew up on the farm where the family raised pigs, sheep, cows, chickens, and black turkeys. Her least favorite chore around the farm was gathering eggs because she was often pecked by the hens when collecting eggs. As a child, she attended the Vandenburg (one-room schoolhouse) School through 9th Grade and was a member of the Future Farmers of America. She walked two miles to school each day but had the luxury of occasionally riding the mule or horse "Tom" to school. She then attended Hondo High School where she played on the varsity girls' basketball team and served as the captain of the team. At Hondo High she was honored to be elected by her senior classmates as "Most Likely to Succeed". After graduating high school, she worked at the telephone company in Hondo and then the gas company in both Pleasanton and in Hondo. While working at the gas company in Hondo she married the love of her life, John Ross Wentz, on May 14, 1955. Three years later, they built their first home on Avenue D in Hondo where they lived all their married lives. A few years later, in October, 1961, their daughter Kay Rossann was born and in August, 1973, John and Laura added James Niel to their family through adoption. For many years, Laura was employed by Hondo National Bank where she was a teller, then loan officer, and retired as Assistant Vice-President. She loved her banking job and enjoyed visiting with customers and friends and especially all the babies who came into the bank. Laura was a life-long member of New Fountain United Methodist Church, having there been baptized, confirmed, and married; also raising her children in church, and serving in various capacities. She, along with her beloved husband John, served as MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship) Leaders at New Fountain. Laura was also a member of the New Fountain UMW and served as President of the UMW as well as other various offices over the years. She also served on the Administrative Board at church and often helped with treasurer/accounting duties. Laura volunteered as a Sunday School teacher, enjoyed bringing programs at UMW, and loved singing. Living a life of service to others and to her community, Laura supported her husband John with many years of service to the Medina County Museum and Museum Day. She was a Blue Bird (Camp Fire Girls) Leader when Kay was young. She served as President of Hermann Sisters Hondo Victory Lodge 161 and was a long-time member of The Order of the Eastern Star where she served as Worthy Matron along with several other officer positions. The City of Hondo also benefited from Laura's service as she served as Director of the Hondo Chamber of Commerce and served for many years on the Planning & Zoning Commission for the City of Hondo. She was also a member of TRIAD and served as Treasurer and Membership Chair of the local AARP. Laura and John loved to travel and, on family road trips, they visited most of the western United States, New England, the South, and Canada and Mexico City. Laura, along with her sister Viola and daughter Kay, also visited Germany, France, and Austria in 1986. Laura and John enjoyed playing cards and dominoes with friends over the years. She also loved playing 42 with her grandsons, David and Daniel. Laura was preceded in death by her parents Otto and Emma Wiemers; husband of 45 years, John Ross Wentz; brothers, Howard Henry and Elbert Otto; and sister, Viola Emabell Calk. She is survived by her daughter, Kay Bell and husband Donnie of Georgetown; son, James Wentz and wife Brenda of Hondo; grandchildren David Bell of Austin, Daniel Bell of Georgetown, Emma Wentz and Frankie Wentz, both of Hondo; step-grandson Michael Lafean of Orlando, Florida; and brother Meryle Robert Wiemers and wife Shirley of San Antonio; as well as many nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held at New Fountain United Methodist Church New Life Center on Wednesday, December 12th at 2 PM and interment will be at New Fountain Cemetery. Pallbearers will be James Wentz, Donnie Bell, David Bell, Daniel Bell, Ethan Calk, and Michael Wiemers. Honorary Pall Bearers will be George Wentz, James Schulte, Claude Schuehle, Michael LaFean, Alvin Wiemers, Mary Heiligman, Mary Matthews, Stephanie Northern, and Elisa Solis. Memorials may be made to Wesleyan Homes, Inc., 1801 Austin Avenue, Georgetown, Texas 78626.