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Rebecca Wenner Funeral Service

10/17/2020

9 Comments

 
A Celebration of Life
REBECCA WENNER
​August 29, 1968 - October 15, 2020
The Celebration of Life for Rebecca Wenner will take place at Overland Park Christian Church on Tuesday, October 20 at 2:00 p.m.  Only immediate family will attend the service in-person.  You are invited to join us for the livestream. 

You can watch the livestream through our OPCC Facebook page; you do not have to have Facebook in order to watch the service online. 
Obituary provided by the Amos Family Funeral Home
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On Thursday, October 15, 2020, Rebecca Wenner passed away at the age of 52 at home surrounded by family. 

Rebecca was born on August 29, 1968 in Olathe, Kansas. She grew up in Chanute, Kansas and graduated from Chanute High School. She attended the University of Kansas where she got a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Environmental Science and Biology. She began working as an Environmental Scientist early in the environmental movement, and dedicated her life to public service through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Environmental Protection Agency.  

After college Rebecca briefly married, during which time she had her daughter Anna Wenner. She later moved to Topeka where she raised Anna and her niece, Emily Alden, alongside her sister and mother. When asked how many children she had, Rebecca often jokingly said that she had “one and a half” daughters because of how important Emily was in her life. Rebecca was heavily involved in her children’s school, church, and 4-H activities and was known for bringing delicious cookies as treats whenever possible.  

Rebecca was an active volunteer with 4-H where she was everything from a club leader to a dog trainer, and she was widely known and loved throughout the state of Kansas. She was also a Sunday School and Bible School teacher at First Christian Church in Topeka where she loved to work with kids.

Even before being diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in 2018, Rebecca always had a love of life. She looked forward to every birthday and never took a moment for granted. She was an avid traveler, especially to national parks, and her favorite place in the world was Yellowstone National Park. She described her trips with her family and friends as her best memories, as well as her role as a mom. Her love of pandas and the color purple was exceeded only by her love of her family and friends. Near the end of her time, Rebecca said that she wanted everyone she loved to know how much they meant to her and how much she appreciated them being in her life.      

Rebecca is survived by her daughter (Anna Wenner), her mother (Sondra Alden), her sister (Evelyn Alden), her brother (John Alden), her sister-in-law (Debbie Alden), her nephew (John Alden) and her nieces (Jamie Alden and Emily Alden). Rebecca was a dedicated mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her. 

A private memorial will be held in Rebecca’s honor on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. 

Due to COVID-19, the funeral will be streamed online for any who would like to attend.   Those who wish to watch the service virtually can do so on the Overland Park Christian Facebook page, or on the Overland Park Christian website.  Please direct any questions in regards to the live stream to the church.

ContributionsIn lieu of flowers, Rebecca has asked that donations be made to Yellowstone Forever to help future generations enjoy her favorite national park. (Please follow this link for more information) 

9 Comments
Marcus Rivas
10/19/2020 05:47:41 am

My most sincere condolences to the Family and Friends of Rebecca Wenner. She was dauntless and selfless in the manner that she lived life, sharing and serving. She had a special zeal for those she loved, be they two-legged or four-legged. Her career in environmental protection was an absolute natural for her. But foremost she loved, nurtured, and protected her family. Rebecca lived a life of service, well and greatly lived. Peace to the family.

Reply
Sheryl Ervin
10/19/2020 10:46:42 am

My condolences and hugs to the Wenner family. I am so glad to have had the time working with Rebecca at KDHE. It was apparent that she loved her family, her friends, her volunteer activities and her job that she was so passionate about. She had a way about her that made everyone she came in contact with feel important. I hope that the joyful memories of Rebecca will help bring peace during this time of grief. She will be missed.

Reply
Kathy Pojman
10/19/2020 03:26:08 pm

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Rebecca. Our family enjoyed spending time with her and her daughter in 4H. Sending prayers to Anna during this difficult time.
Kathy Pojman

Reply
Maureen Ruhlman
10/20/2020 08:58:22 am

I worked in the same Bureau at KDHE with Rebecca for many years.
Rebecca made time for people and listened with compassion always. Given her commitment to the service of others, it was not surprising to see Rebecca volunteering at the Salvation Army after hurricane Katrina or through 4-H activities. Rebecca will be missed and I hope her family may eventually find peace.

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Kent Foerster
10/20/2020 10:29:12 am

Have nothing but fond memories of Rebecca at KDHE. She was a passionate environmental steward and top notch public servant. She followed me, like others to EPA, to continue that dual mission while taking care of family. We both had daughters named Anna that we always were proud of. Her work ethic, standards and core values came through in everything. So sorry for your loss. Sending digital hugs and prayers to all she touched.

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Stacey
10/20/2020 01:49:09 pm

I am so sorry to hear of Rebecca’s passing. She was a woman who should inspire all young women and men in the work force. I have nothing but respect for Rebecca. May she live on through the many people she touched in her life. She will be missed.

Reply
Karen Schmidt
10/20/2020 01:53:06 pm

I met Rebecca in 1999 when she began working for KDHE. Through my short time training her, I was able to get to know Rebecca very well. She was so much fun, very smart (which cut down our training time together), had a zest for life and the environment. Rebecca was a fabulous leader. I was once her mentor, and then it flipped: Rebecca became my mentor. God bless you dear friend, and may your family and friend's sorrow ease.
Karen

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Brian Burbeck
10/20/2020 02:45:59 pm

Rebecca hired me in 2015 at KDHE. In the short time I knew her there, I saw her as nothing less than confident, dedicated, intelligent, knowledgeable, energetic, and a kind-hearted, good-natured person. She helped me transition into her former role at KDHE after she left and made herself available to provide assistance despite how much she already had on her busy plate. I looked up to her and will always respect her dedication and tenacity both in pursuit of environmental protection and devotion to those around her. I wish her family and those close to her peace and wellness moving forward.

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William Diesslin
11/9/2020 04:03:06 pm

Word travels slowly in the age of COVID-19, I just learned of Rebecca's passing today. I first met Rebecca when she worked as a contractor for EPA back in the 90's. Our professional paths have crossed time and again ever since.

Rebecca and I were always on the opposite side of an issue because she was a regulator and I was regulated. We got along nonetheless with mutual respect and a common interest in protecting the environment.

My sincere condolences to Rebecca's peers, friends and family.

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