On the morning of December 20, 2014, we lost a legend, father, brother, uncle, and friend. James Joseph Wenger passed away peacefully in his sleep. At the time of his death he was 70 years old.
Joe was born in Dillon, Montana on March 4, 1944. He was the second son of Agnes and Henry Wenger.
Joe grew up in the 6th Ward, where he attended Helena area schools, graduating from Helena High in 1962. Later he attended MSU/Northern Montana College. Joe married Sharon Miller (Milot) in 1969 and was blessed with their only daughter, Shauna, in 1970. They were later divorced. In 1996, he married Sharon Miles. They were together until her death in 2010.
Joe wore many hats throughout his lifetime. His career began at Northside Welding with his brother Craig and continued in the oil fields in Sydney, Montana. Joe found his true passion as a teacher and mentor. He was an inspiration to all he taught. Highly skilled, he always strove for perfection in his work. Joe was a welding instructor at Helena High for seven years and spent another fifteen at Helena Vo-Tech where he retired in 2006.
Joe had many wonderful memories of the Big Hole Valley. He loved going there to hunt, fish, spend time at the cabin, or just visit with his many relatives. One of his favorite pastimes was taking drives through the back roads of Montana with his daughter. He also enjoyed antiques, motorcycles, and tinkering in the garage on numerous projects.
Besides family, Joe’s greatest love was hot rods and fast cars. He was a rod run enthusiast and a founder of the Helena Valley Timing Association Car Club. He was a major influence in creating the Blast from the Past car show where all proceeds went to a scholarship fund he created for trade students.
Survivors include his daughter Shauna Wenger; brother Ed Wenger; nephews, Lance Wenger (Wendee), Blaine Wenger (Ricki), Chad Wenger; niece Lisa Wenger; and stepdaughter Tasa Miles. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Craig, and his wife Shari.
A memorial service celebrating Joe’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, December 29, 2014 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. Interment will follow the service at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. A reception will follow the interment at Jorgenson’s. Memorials are suggested to Helena Valley Timing Association or St. Peter’s Cancer Treatment Center. Please visit below offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Joe.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
1:00 p.m.
Monday December 29, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
After the service
Monday December 29, 2014
Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery
7100 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the burial
Monday December 29, 2014
Jorgenson's Restaurant
1720 11th Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
1:00 p.m.
Monday December 29, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
After the service
Monday December 29, 2014
Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery
7100 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the burial
Monday December 29, 2014
Jorgenson's Restaurant
1720 11th Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Share
Jan Ryckman says
Joe was a special wild and crazy guy that you just couldn’t help wanting as a friend. He will be missed by many. Special prayers and thoughts go to Joe’s favorite little girl, Shauna, whom he loved so dearly. RIP my friend.
Mark Ryckman says
I struggle to put Joe into words, he was so many things- father, teacher, hot rodder, friend and I’m sure mentor to all the young lives he touched. You always wanted Joe on your side, and now God’s on Joe’s side! RIP friend! My prayers to Ed, Shauna, and the rest of Joes family.
Allen Stenhjem Family says
Our thoughts and prayers are with Shauna and Joes extended family. Joey will be missed and not forgotten by all . God Bless,
Allen/Glenda
Terry Thomas says
We have lost a legend when Joe passed. Joe or as many of us knew him “the professor” touched hundreds of young peoples lives as they grew up in Helena. Joe was an inspiration to all he taught.Highly skilled, he always strove for perfection in his work. Joe gave numerous young people an opportunity to attend college with the scholarship fund he created @ Helena College. A ton of fun to be around,or travel anywhere with, Joe will be terribly missed at all upcoming car shows and rod runs.My deepest condolences to Shawna,Ed, and Chad at this difficult time.
Beverly Magley says
I live across the street and always looked forward to a cheery hello and conversation when walking by Joe’s house, or a conversation about his Punkin and other quirky neighborhood pets. My sincere condolences to Joe’s friends and family.
Beverly Magley
Evy Burris Sass says
Dear Loved One’s, I am deeply saddened to read about Joey in today’s paper. I am sorry for your loss & my thoughts & prayers are with you Ed and family. I always looked forward to seeing Joey & you Ed. May all the good time memories give you strength. Evy
Susan & Rich Proul says
Shauna, Ed & Family we are saddened to hear about Joe’s passing. Keep all those memories close in your heart and he will be with you always…our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Erin Ward Anton says
Shauna,
My prayers are with you and your extended family as you get ready to say goodbye to your Dad. I know you will have many happy stories to share and tears of both sadness and joy to shed. I am so glad to have known your Dad. He was so very blessed to have you as his baby girl. God bless. Erin
Leon and Marsha Belville says
Shauna, Tasa, Chad and families – Our thoughts and prayers are with you . Wish we could be there with you at this time but are down in Yuma for the winter. Hugs to you all, love Leon and Marsha
Pat Hoy says
Living on the hill next to Joe has been a special time. Watching the Hot Rods coming and going was the highlight of my day. Sometimes Joe and I would sit and have a beer and talk about anything from welding on a oil rig to Firestone boat motors. If Ed Devaney showed up that would be the end of a beer and a chat. Joe and Ed would delight each other in their deep dark debates on politics and societies short comings. As they talked louder and faster all I could do is sit back and learn from two pros in the art of “Bullshipping”. I’ll miss that. Shauna was number one in Joe’s heart. Pat Hoy
Nicole Duvernay says
Shauna,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you go through such a difficult time. Know that Papa Joe loved you, and he knew you loved him. While I did not ever have the privilege of meeting him in person, I enjoyed hearing about your adventures. He lives in your heart. God bless.
Nicole
Kelli Finstad Williams says
Dear Shauna,
I am very sorry to hear that you’ve lost your Dad. It is such a special relationship between father and daughter. I just lost my Dad a year ago and not a day goes by that I don’t miss him. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jimmy Black says
I knew Joe most of his life. He never quit calling me Jimmy. He was small in stature but had a big heart. I never saw him back down from anything or anyone. I will miss him always. God speed Joe.
Bob and Donna Anderson says
Shauna, Ed and the entire Wenger family.
So sorry to hear of Joes passing, he will be missed by all who knew him. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and the entire family.
Bob and Donna Anderson
Raylene Prout says
Shauna and Family;
Please accept my sincerest condolences on the passing of your Papa Joe. While I never had the privilege of meeting him, I feel like I got to know a bit about his personality from Shauna’s Facebook postings. The thing that always shown through was the obvious love and respect for this man. RIP Joe Wenger….
Ron Mercer says
Joe was committed to helping young students find a career path and welding was his passion. I had a chance to work with Joe on a few projects at HTC and he never failed to get ‘er done. He was a great motor head and will be missed at car events around the state. Rest in peace – you earned it.
Ron
Tom & Sandee Stockdale says
Joe was a very unique individual, very similar to his brothers Craig and Ed. And while we all went to Helena High together, it was not until later that we all really connected. The entire family shared skills in welding, fabrication, mechanics and being a bit on the “wild side”. In the B ig Hole valley Joe is a legend and a conversation piece at the Wisdom and Jackson “watering holes”. Joe Clemans (who ran the bar in Jackson), Larry Christensen, Dave Wilmer, Gary Dagel and many more all had some great memories with Joe. Tom Stockdale
Vince Charlton says
I knew joe and grew up down the street from joe later he taught me to weld in high school and that skill has served me well over the years in fact I can rarely strike an arch with out him coming to mind . Always good memories , thanks joe for the help through life
steve wong says
i am so sorry to hear Joe has checked out. Lots of memories. I spent a week one night in Plentywood with Joe and Weggenman. Joe was a tough guy that loved to laugh. The Wenger brothers inspired many Helena guys like me to build and flog their own hot rod cars. Nephews Lance and Chad made him proud as they carry on the family’s love of hot rods. Sadly, there will never be another J.J.Wenger but his legacy lives on in the many lives he touched, including mine.
Ben & Amber Anderson says
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Uncle Joe. Will miss seeing him at the NSW shop checking out what is going on. It will not be the same.
Matt & Mary Kunnary says
Our prayers are with the Wenger family. Joe was man who lived and loved life. God Bless him and your family.
Matt & Mary