Lena Miller Wenger of Green Bay died on August 22, 2025, in De Pere, Wisconsin, after a short illness. She was born on August 14, 1929, in Benton, Ohio, to Solomon III and Ida Miller.

Growing up on a farm during the Great Depression, she could hardly have dreamed of some of the adventures she would experience during her life. In the 1950s, she spent three years working as a nurse on the island of Java, in Indonesia. In 1981-82, she lived with the rest of the family in Aalborg, Denmark for the academic year. And in 1987-88, she and her husband Bob lived in Beijing, China. Other than the time spent in Denmark and China, Lena lived in Green Bay since 1969. Her international friendships continued throughout her life, hosting students and visiting scholars from around the world at the "farm" just east of Green Bay.

She and her future husband Bob met through her sister's boyfriend, who was also one of Bob's housemates at Eastern Mennonite College. Lena and Bob were married on June 10, 1960, in Kidron, Ohio, and spent 62 years together before Bob's death in 2022.  Her support was critical to Bob's career as a professor of mathematics at UWGB.

She loved music, especially classical music and the hymns she remembered from her childhood. Dvorak's "New World" symphony was a particular favorite.

Another constant in her life was her love of birds. She always wanted to look out a window and see birds, preferably as many species as possible, and she supported many bird-related causes, such as the International Crane Foundation.  She spent much of her life surrounded by nature, which gave her much joy.

After training and working as a nurse, she took up painting after having a family. Her favorite was an award-winning painting of wild horses; others were scenes from Pittsburgh and Java.

She spent the last three years of her life in Oak Park Place in Green Bay. She loved to navigate the halls with her walker, and she enjoyed having someone else cook for her after a lifetime of cooking for others.

The world around her changed immeasurably during her lifetime. She remained cheerful and upbeat to the end of her life, frequently replying, "I don't have any pain" when asked how she was doing. She met every challenge with equanimity and was a source of quiet strength for her family.

Lena lived a life filled with kindness, generosity, hard work, gardening, animals, literature, music, and an appreciation for the quirks, unexpected joys, and challenges of life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bob, and seven brothers and sisters. She is survived by her son Kent (ex-wife Sue Ulschmid), her daughter Meg (Scott Bahr), her sister Ida Byer, and friends around the world.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.