January 18, 1949 ~ June 17, 2025
Rebecca Lorraine Wentzloff, 76, of Shelby, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 17, 2025. She was born January 18, 1949 in Muskegon to Raymundo and Petra (Flores) Patino.
Jimmy Buffett put it perfectly: “Some of it’s magic, some of it’s tragic, but I had a good life all the way.” And that was very true for Becca. This woman believed in living life to the fullest.
From reading the entire dictionary at a young age to being the fourth child in a VERY big family (just 10 of them) to singing with her father’s band and learning how to play the guitar, which she took so seriously that when she grew up she started her own band, 2nd Chance Music, and was able to write her own gospel songs and produce two albums. She met some amazing people along her journey: Bobby Kennedy, Bobby Vee, the Prime Minister of Israel and Christopher Plummer when she was a seamstress for a Theater Show, and of course whoever is reading this with tears in their eyes.
Oh, she loved making her own clothes, quilts, pretty much anything with fabric. She made her own gown when she was Mrs. Asparagus in 1985. She loved making gowns for people so much that she opened her own shop called The Silver Thimble in New Era and a very successful gift shop in Mears called Quaint and Country, while raising two kids, Rachel and Rich. Such beautiful, wonderful, perfect children (or so she said to whoever would listen) that she let them star in the production of Jesus Christ Superstar, where she was the seamstress in that too. When she wasn’t making quilts, she was watching her Cubbies win the World Series and rooting for the Washington Redskins team. And boy did she love to travel!
She wanted to see everything that God made. So, she worked as an Irate Supervisor for United Airlines and was able to travel America. While visiting in Virginia at 42 years old, she thought she had already lived the best years to come and nothing could top what she already went through. That is until the most beautiful, the most sarcastic daughter ever came along. Kelsey kept her feeling young, feeling wild, and feeling like pulling all her gray hair out when Kelsey would pull a stunt like flying airplanes. She met Warren when they were little children picking cherries, and when they got tired, they would share a blanket and play with his Tonka truck. Many years later, Warren finally took Becca to a strange land called Michigan, where there were fireflies lighting the way to a Christmas tree farm where they got married and had horses, cats, dogs and peace and of course a sewing studio for all her fabric needs. She always had room for her three children, her nine grandchildren (thanks a lot Rachel for showing us up) and many, many friends.
When you met Becca for the first time, you could see the presence of God was on her. She lived and breathed God’s word, and she loved Him so much that she wanted everyone around her to know who He is. She would go up to strangers saying “God has placed it on my heart to pray for you, is that okay?” And really, who could say no to that face? She would remind them of Isaiah 40:31: “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” She had two encounters with Angels in her life. One when she almost drowned when she was a child; and the other when she was at Johns Hopkins for eye surgery. She was lost running after that troublesome child, Kelsey, and she ran into this beautiful woman who told her to go into the garden and peace will be there. When Becca turned to thank the woman, the woman was gone, poof. When Becca went into the garden, there stood a 10-foot statue of Jesus with the words: “Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” And peace did follow after that encounter.
At 3:04 a.m. on June 17, 2025, that beautiful songbird went to go hug her Jesus and sing in His choir. She is seeing her family and friends and is no longer in pain, and all the while singing “Sharp Dressed Man” and showing them how to hit a curveball. 76 years old is too young, but she had an amazing life. Some of it was magic. Some of it was tragic. But she had a great life all the way.
Rebecca is survived by: her husband ,Warren Wentzloff; children, Rachel, Richard and Kelsey; siblings: Roger, Nel, Lori, Rey and Rolando; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Rebecca was preceded in death by: her parents, Raymundo and Petra; siblings: Raymundo Jr, Rosa, Richard and Roberto; and great-granddaughter Christina Rose.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is assisting with arrangements.
