Who We Are
The Family
Wengers of Myerstown
In 1947, Carl Wenger began working as a “nickel man” at local auctions when he was only 14. He purchased tools that needed repairs, fixed them and resold them. After marrying Margaret Buffenmeyer in 1950, the couple began dairy-farming in Myerstown, PA. In 1952, as an echo of his “nickel man” days, Carl starting buying and selling used farm equipment and tractors and within several years, that endeavor had blossomed into Wengers Farm Machinery. While Carl grew the business, Margaret spent her time in the home raising their seven children.
The business has grown from humble beginnings at the kitchen table to expanded facilities on the home farm for Wengers Farm Machinery, to our Agriculture and Construction divisions along Route 501, today known as Wengers of Myerstown. As the business grew, so did the family. Carl and Margaret are the parents of seven children; today, all married with families of their own: Lloyd and Kitty Wenger, Larry and Becky Wenger, John and Nancy Layser, Dennis and Carol Dieffenbach, David and Gwen Wenger, Glenn and Robin Wenger, and John and Rose Walmer. The family includes 14 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren (and growing!)
Carl retired in 1997, but he remained an active and inspirational part of our day-to-day operations until his passing. Wengers of Myerstown currently employs approximately 65 people, several of them, second, third and fourth generation family members.
The Wenger Foundation
Over $3.5 million given and counting
Carl and Margaret Wenger have always had philanthropic hearts and a desire to give to others in the community. In 1996, The Wenger Foundation was born as a non-profit organization.
The premier event of the Foundation is the annual Praise Dinner, which was first held in 1996. The inaugural event was a memorial dinner for Carl and Margaret’s granddaughter, Renee Ann Layser. The community responded so well that the event was re-branded as the Praise Dinner and has continued through the years. There are currently four different ministries benefiting from the event: COBYS Family Services, Friendship Community, Jubilee Ministries, and On Fire Youth Ministry. This event has generated gifts totaling over $2 million for these and other ministries.
Our Mission
Our mission is to transform our community by funding faith-based and family-centric programs that change lives.
Our Vision
Our vision is to be a premier leader in serving and giving in the communities in which we live and work.
Big Hat, Big Heart
The Story of Businessman & Philanthropist Carl I. Wenger
Carl Wenger was the epitome of a man who realized the American Dream, not by greed or a sense of entitlement, but by putting boots on faith and work and walking the talk. He excelled as a young man in Future Farmers of America; he started a used farm equipment business that grew into a multi-million-dollar business; he and his wife raised seven children; and spurred by a family tragedy, he initiated a foundation that has given more than $3.5 million dollars to a variety of Christian and community causes.