Tami Wenger stands at Fairview Cemetery of West Liberty with her arms full of the books she has written about local graves. (NIKKI BURKHAMER | THE CHRONICLE) Most people spend their lives trying to avoid cemeteries. Rev. Tami Wenger spends hers inviting people in.
The West Liberty resident, author, historian, minister and self-described "cemetery hopper" has earned a nickname that locals recognize: The Cemetery Lady. Far from making graveyards seem spooky or off-limits, Wenger has built a ministry and educational mission around helping people see cemeteries for what they truly are – outdoor museums, history books written in stone and sacred places that deserve to be remembered.
"I just want people to appreciate cemeteries and understand why they matter," Wenger said. "The people buried there helped build our communities. They deserve to stay where they are."
That mission has led her to write books, organize cemetery tours, document forgotten graveyards, research local history, and even create scavenger-hunt-style guides that encourage families to explore cemeteries together. But becoming "The Cemetery Lady" was only the latest chapter in a lifetime spent turning unusual ideas into ministries….. READ MORE….
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