Wendy Genereux passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Friday, February 28, 2025, at her home in Clyde. She was born November 5, 1964 in Russell, Kansas, along with a twin brother Wade, to Everett A. and Fay A. (Thomas) Sechtem. Wendy was a 1984 graduate of Kearney High School, Kearney, NE.
As a young girl, Wendy loved shopping with her mother at the Boogaarts store in Kearney and helping bag the family groceries. The store manager noticed her enthusiasm and made her a job offer. “Come here when you turn 16 and I will give you a job.” So, on her 16th birthday, she went to the store and began her career in the retail food industry.
Her reputation for loyalty, diligence and excellence eventually led to her being promoted within the Boogaarts organization. She transferred to a new store in Concordia, KS to manage the bakery deli in that location. As it turned out, a new hardware store was opening a few doors down and working in it was a man called Bill, just back from Desert Storm. Bill liked eating donuts and Wendy enjoyed making and selling them.
One thing led to another, and the couple were married at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Concordia on January 16, 1993. They soon made their home in Clyde, KS. To that union were born two children, Emily and Thomas.
Wendy continued to rise through the ranks at Boogaarts, becoming a regional supervisor for many bakery and deli departments for stores across the Midwest. She was known by coworkers as “the hardest working person they ever knew.” But the required travel was difficult, so she became a homemaker in 2006 to have more time for her family.
Soon after she started her Wendy’s Party Treats business, operating from her home kitchen. Her cakes and party treats were legendary. People drove for miles to experience her delicious goodies.
She had very high standards and always strived to provide an exceptional product. More than a few of her hand-baked cookies were retrieved from the wastebasket by her husband.
“What’s wrong with these?” he would ask, “They are delicious.”
“They aren’t good enough,” was always the reply, because they were broken or misshapen, or slightly over or under baked. Taste and appearance had to be just right. She exemplified the woman of Proverbs 31:10-31, caring for both her family and her business with ease.
“Aunt Wendy’s kitchen always smells amazing,” said her observant nephew Noah, and he was right.
She cared deeply about her community, volunteering to serve on the city beautification committee, city council and finally as the mayor of Clyde. She was passionate about the public spaces and parks in Clyde, promoting projects such as new streetlights for downtown and a new swimming pool.
For many years she chaired the funeral dinner group at her church and served on the cemetery board. She wanted to make sure that our lost loved ones were well cared for and honored. She helped to keep the food donations pantry full and frequently donated to school and other local fundraisers.
Wendy is survived by her husband, William “Bill” Genereux of the home in Clyde; her daughter, Emily Genereux of Manhattan, KS; a son, Thomas Genereux of Clyde, KS;.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Everett and Fay Sechtem, and her brothers Wade and Steve Sechtem.
The visitation will be held from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at the Chaput Mortuary in Clyde.
A Vigil/Rosary Service will be held 6:00 p.m., on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at the St. John The Baptist Catholic Church, led by Fr. Steven Heina. Memories of Wendy will be shared by family and friends. Family will greet friends after the Rosary Service in the fellowship hall.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m., March 7, 2025, at the St. John The Baptist Catholic Church in Clyde, Kansas with Fr. Steven Heina officiating. The burial will follow in the Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Clyde, Kansas.
Memorial contributions may be left to the Wendy Genereux memorial fund to be distributed later for local charities that she cared so deeply about. In care of Chaput Mortuary, PO Box 291, Clyde, Kansas 66938. Condolences may be left online at www.chaputbuoy.com.
