Adam Russell Wenzel drew his last breath at 9:57AM in the arms of his family on Wednesday June 5, 2024 at the University of Iowa Hospital. He was 35 years young.

Adam's first breath was in the arms of his mother Lisa Louise Schnepper and Father Michael Allen Wenzel on October 18, 1988 at the Vernon Memorial Hospital in Viroqua, Wisconsin. In the first years of Adam’s life, it was clear to his mother how loving her baby boy was to her. Snuggles were not complete without the gentle pat of his little hand on her back, as if he knew that their hug was as much to comfort mommy as it was to comfort him. This beautiful and loving trait would be a hallmark of his being for the rest of his life. Adam was born to hold, hug, and express his love with touch; with everyone he met in this world.

Adam's formative years were spent tormenting his older brother Luke and little brother Mathew, together getting into as many shenanigans as they could in their small home town of Viola, Wisconsin. As he grew he claimed additional brothers in Kole and Kyle Schug, and Justin Johnson, as well as his adoptive brother Xiao, a local crew of endearing trouble makers living their best life in and out of school. Camping, hanging out with his crew of friends, video games, and wrestling occupied much of his time.When he was alone, he developed a unique intellect by reading any and every book he could in the dim evening light of his childhood bedroom.

Adam graduated from Kickapoo High School, class of 2007. He liked to show his uniqueness, oftentimes sporting a Mohawk, colorful hair and later piercings and tattoos. During his years at Kickapoo schools he participated in wrestling, track, summer art and photography. Adam was a lifeguard at the school/community pool and taught swimming lessons. In Adam's senior year he performed the halftime show for homecoming, and was Prom King. Adam played “Rooster” in the high School musical “Annie” where he had a solo and in his words did a “Shatner version” by speaking instead of singing the song lyrically. Adam was also class speaker at his high school graduation commencement ceremony.

After a semester at college in Northern Minnesota, Adam moved to Waterloo, IA to work for Miller Fence & Flag, where he eventually became a foreman. It was there where Adam met his future wife Lawrell (Birk) Wenzel in what he believed was the booming metropolis of Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Iowa. Their romance was immediate. Both knew almost instantly that their future was in the eyes of the other, laughing and gazing across the table. Adam and Lawrell married, February 19, 2011 and shared 13 beautiful years together.

On November 22, 2011 Adam’s greatest wish on this earth was granted as he held his son Lawrence marking his first day as a father. The twins Jaclyn and James were born November 20, 2015. As a family, Adam, Lawrell and the kids endured what (at the time) they thought would be the greatest struggle of their life, when James had a stroke at 3 weeks old. It was Adam's strength and devotion to his family that kept everyone moving forward together. And for the last few years, Adam became James full time caregiver and stay-at-home Dad.

Like his father, Adam was steadfast in his beliefs and values. A devout Trekkie, his favorite relatable stories were of Captain James T Kirk and the Starship Enterprise. Adam could draw the most delightful parallels between the cosmic battles of this fictional Federation crew and his own life experiences, much to the chagrin of his son Lawrence who was forced on more than one occasion to watch a grainy episode of the original series on VHS with Dad in the garage. Adam was also a classic adult gamer, spending many a night online with his brothers completing epic missions in fantastical worlds. In the fall of 2020 Adam went back to school to study as a veterinarian technician. Animals were a passion for him and he had a menagerie of pets over the years. There were dogs, ferrets, an african tortoise, hamsters, snakes, lizards, a tarantula, and of course his favorite, cats… so many cats. In his last year, Adam got to work his dream job, as a pet technician at Companion Animal Clinic. He loved finally being able to care for animals.

Adam is survived by his many loved ones, a symptom of a life taken too soon. But as he left the embrace of his grieving family on this planet, he was greeted in Valhalla (where the brave may live forever) by the happy and welcoming embrace of his father Michael Wenzel, Lawrell's father Lawrence Birk, his Aunt Jaime Rogers, and his grandparents: Russell Schnepper, Bev Rogers, Marilyn and Richard Wenzel.

A celebration of Adam’s life will be held at the Viola, WI United Methodist church, at 11 AM. with a picnic to follow at the Kellogg Shelter in Banker Park. All are welcome to attend either, or both gatherings to share memories of Adam. People are encouraged to wear purple, Adam’s favorite color.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made directly to the family at: 710 Starlite Blvd. Waterloo, IA 50701.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/adam-wenzel/obituary/

Copy