David L. Wentz, 77, of Columbus, passed away Wednesday afternoon, August 6, 2025 at his home.  He was born on December 25, 1947, in Tecumseh to Ernest and Rachel (Harms) Wentz.  He was the 7th child of eight children.  Dave graduated from Sterling High School in 1966 where he played football and basketball, and threw the shot put and discus in track.  He married his high school sweetheart, Eileen Wilken on October 21, 1967, at Immanuel Lutheran Church of rural Sterling.  They were blessed with three children, Jason, Damon, and Nicole.  Over the years the couple resided in Lincoln, Sterling, North Loup, Ord, Platte Center, and Columbus. He was a former member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Sterling and currently a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Columbus.  Dave spent several years in insurance sales and then followed his heart and became an owner/operator truck driver.  He started driving for Behlen Transportation and finished his career with Indiana Transport.  He enjoyed traveling throughout the country, meeting and visiting with different people.  He was known for striking up a conversation with anyone!  When he was at home Dave enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, woodworking, Nebraska football, his children and grandchildren’s numerous activities, and spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Eileen Wentz of Columbus; sons, Jason (Sandra) Wentz of Rifle, CO and Damon (Amberlee) Wentz of Brule; daughter, Nicole (Tyson) Wentz-Boutin of Martel; nine grandchildren, Brittnee (Thomas) Eickmeier, Jessalyn Kreutzer, Karissa (Mark) Bourget, Keegan Wentz, Skylar Wentz, Makiah Wentz, Kyann Wentz, Kaleb Wentz, and Casen Wentz; three great-grandchildren, Macy, Marshall, and Syrus; brothers, Donald Wentz of Adams and Kenneth (Ardis) Wentz of Sterling; sisters, Delores (Don) Cooper of Firth and Linda (John) Goracke of Tecumseh; brothers-in-law, LaVerne (Lou) Wilken of Talmage, and Roy Wilken and Duane (Mary) Wilken all of Sterling; sisters-in-law, Beverly Schmidt of Eagle and Lola Wentz of Sterling; numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by four great-grandchildren; parents, Ernest and Rachel Wentz; brothers, Robert Wentz and Larry Wentz; sister, Marilyn Wentz; sisters-in-law, Joan Wentz, Elaine Wentz, Nancy Wentz, and Alyce Wilken; brothers-in-law, Ervin Wilken, James Wilken, and Ronald Schmidt; nephew, Adam Wilken.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at Immanuel Lutheran Church of rural Sterling with Pastor Marcel Kohlmeyer and Pastor Cory Burma officiating.  Burial will be at the Sterling Cemetery.  A family prayer service will be held at 1:15 P.M. on Wednesday at the church.  Visitation will be on Wednesday one hour before the funeral service at the church.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the family’s choice.  www.foxfuneralhome.net   Arrangements entrusted to Zink-Fox Funeral Home of Sterling.