December 19 1970 September 11 2019
Loving Sister, Mother, Wife and Friend, Wendy Beth Romberg, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at her home in Anchorage, Alaska at the age of 48. Wendy was born on December 19, 1970 in Poughkeepsie, New York. She was the daughter of Carol and David Stehouwer and spent her early years living in New York and Michigan before her family settled in Columbus, Indiana. Wendy graduated from Columbus North High School in 1989 and then attended Kalamazoo College from 1989-1993, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Sociology and Anthropological Studies. Wendy was a kind and loving soul, with a radiant smile that drew people to her. She loved connecting people to each other and all children. She was adventurous and independent; travelling with family and friends to over 10 different countries before she was 21, including going on foreign exchange in Brazil and as an Au Pair for family friends travelling in Europe. Wendy married her husband, Bill Romberg on Oct 23, 1993 in Brown County, Indiana and they soon moved north to Alaska in an old Dodge pickup and camper with all their worldly possessions–seeking wild places and hoping they could make it work like so many others before them. After several years working seasonally in different locations in Alaska (Seward, Homer, Anchorage), Wendy and Bill moved to Blacksburg, Virginia while Bill attended graduate school. While living in Blacksburg, Wendy was a tremendous support to her terminally ill mother Carol and her family. In 1999, Wendy and Bill spent 6 weeks travelling back to Alaska and ultimately settled in Anchorage. They were blessed with two wonderful children Ari (Hannah) in 2000 and Ethan in 2003. Wendy was a devoted mother and loved spending quality time outdoors with her family, hiking, cross country skiing, backpacking, and long rafting trips. She loved the change of seasons, snowy Alaskan winters, cabins with warm fires, and a good mystery novel. She was always ready to take up a new challenge or go on a new adventure with family and friends—or settle in with a good book. Wendy was a selfless person who was always putting others before herself–whether it was supporting and nurturing her kids through school, welcoming others to her neighborhood, raising funds for cancer foundations, comforting a friend, or volunteering at her church Fellowship. She was always ready with a cheerful smile and a hug, and simply loved bringing joy to others through simple acts of kindness. Throughout her life, Wendy loved helping other people and building community—and she was good at it. She worked over 20 years in the Anchorage area, first as a Credit Counselor for Consumer Credit Counseling of Anchorage, then Housing Advisor for Cook Inlet Housing Authority, also a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones, Membership Coordinator for Girl Scouts of Alaska, and finally as Office Manager for Cange Group LLC. In 2013, Wendy participated in the Leadership Anchorage program through the Alaska Humanities Forum—an opportunity that provided a springboard to further leadership and engagement in her community. She became a respected leader in the Anchorage community known for her principles and strength of character, a passion for community, and having a special knack for leading others with a loving but firm motherly touch. She was serving as the President of the Board of the Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at the time of her death. Wendy is survived by her husband Bill Romberg, sons Ari and Ethan Romberg, Father, David (Alberta) Stehouwer, Sisters, Susan (Michael) Tierney and Cathy (Tim) Stiles, Sisters-in-law: Karen (Jason) Scott, Audrey (Scott) Stambaugh, Sue Romberg, Rebecca (Dan) Verespej, Andrea (Mark) Bond, as well as a village of close friends. Brother-in-law Garrett Romberg, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Wendy was preceded in death by her mother Carol Stehouwer. A Celebration of Wendy’s Life will be held on Saturday, Oct 19, 2019, 2:00-4:00 pm. at the Dena’ina Civic Center in Anchorage. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Wendy’s name to any of the following: • Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF) 2824 East 18th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99508 or online at anchorageuuf.org. Donations to AUUF in honor of Wendy will go to a special fund to build a new children’s playground at the fellowship, which will be dedicated in Wendy’s name as a way of honoring her love for youth. • Leadership Anchorage – a program of the Alaska Humanities Forum. Donations can be directed to Alaska Humanities Forum at 421 West 1st Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501 or akhf.org. Gifts in honor of Wendy can go specifically to Leadership Anchorage. Contact: Jann Mylet, Director of Development & Communications, (907) 272-5302. • Planned Parenthood of Alaska Donate by phone at 1-800-430-4907 or online at www.weareplannedparenthood.org To send flowers to the family of Wendy Beth Romberg please visit our Sympathy Store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Wendy Beth Romberg December 19 1970 September 11 2019.
Alaskan Memorial Park Mortuary & Crematory
Death notice for the town of: Juneau, state: Alaska