Hye-Sook Yun Wentzel passed into eternal life on April 28, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Namwon, Republic of Korea, on August 11, 1956, she earned a B.A. degree in commercial design from Kwangju University, and later received graduate-level certification in management and international marketing from Yonsei University in Seoul.
Hye-Sook held several management positions with the Pacific Chemical Company in Seoul, ultimately working as department manager of sales and marketing in the cosmetics division. She conducted product seminars in Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United States. In 1990, she met Colonel Sealon R. “Doc” Wentzel, U.S. Army, who was stationed in Seoul. Leaving her family, career, and native country, she immigrated to the United States in 1992. Hye-Sook and Doc were married on April 11, 1992, in the Post Chapel at Fort McPherson, GA, and they settled in Peachtree City, GA. Their son, Joshua, was born in 1993, and their daughter, Sarah, was born in 1996. Hye-Sook became a very proud and patriotic American citizen in 2000. That year, the family moved to Mills River, NC. Hye-Sook had a great affinity for the arts, and was active in painting, drawing, pottery and ceramics, sculpture, photography, and jewelry design. She studied various arts and crafts techniques at The Penland School, William Holland School, John Campbell Folk School, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Institute, and the Henderson County Gem and Mineral Society. Ultimately, jewelry design and fabrication became her passion, and she created many beautiful articles of jewelry. The Wentzels enjoyed family recreational vehicle travel and camping, visiting 15 national parks during their vacations; Hye-Sook created an extensive photo journal of the family’s travels.
Hye-Sook was devoted to her family, and loved to associate with people. She worked at the North Carolina Arboretum for several years as a sales associate, and enjoyed meeting people from all over America and the world, touching many with her outgoing personality. In any situation, her vivacious presence brightened everything around her.
Hye-Sook is survived by her husband, Doc; her son, Joshua; daughter, Sarah; stepson, Staff Sergeant Sam Wentzel (a U.S. Army Ranger); mother, Myung Soon Bok; and sisters, Soon Duk Yun and Kyung Sook Yoon. Although we are immeasurably saddened by her passing, we are eternally grateful for the opportunity to have known and loved her. Because of her many talents, we know that God has a special purpose for her in Heaven!
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, May 7, at 2:00 PM, at Grace Lutheran Church, 1245 Sixth Avenue West, Hendersonville, NC, with Pastor Ken Langsdorf officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to Four Seasons Compassion for Life, 581 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.
An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.
Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.
