John Wilhelm Wendel 1875-1965

HIRTH, WENDEL, ENGLEHORN, STEIBER

Posted By: Janet Koozer (email)
Date: 12/26/2006 at 16:04:30

The long Life Story of John W. Wendel

Funeral services were held Saturday, January 16, 1965, at two o'clock p.m. from the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Lansing, for John William Wendel, 89, who passed away early Wednesday morning. January 13th at the Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, following a brief illness.

Mr. Wendel the oldest of seven sons, was born January 28, 1875, Northwest of Churchtown, on the home place of his parents, William and Barbara (Hirth) Wendel.

He was united in marriage on Dec 12, 1899, to Bertha Englehorn, and the young couple set up farming on their own farm one and one-fourth miles southeast of Churchtown.

To this union were born seven children, (six boys and one girl.) They are Howard and Kermit, of Lansing; Clarence of Churchtown; Harry of Englewood, Fla; Alfred of Spring Grove, Minn; Bob of Fairmont, Minn; and Lillian, Mrs. Raymond Steiber of Lansing.

John who spent the greater share of his lifetime in Allamakee County, was well known in the area as one who was usually first to own and operate any new mechanical equipment, or farm machinery, invented and available to the public. He maintained steam engine threshing equipment during the many years of his farming career, and with the help of his six sons, served large threshing rings throughout the entire area, always adding something new to his equipment to make the job easier and more efficient.

Following the death of his wife on April 17, 1927, he later married Emily Hoffman, of Cedar Falls, on Oct.16, 1933. She also preceded him in death.

Mr. Wendel retired from farming in 1949. He moved to Spring Grove, Minn. to make his home with his youngest son, Bob, staying in Spring Grove, until August 1963 when he moved to the Hanson Nursing Home in Waukon.

Rev. J. Paul Stevens officiated at the last rites. Mrs. Donald Dee, of Lansing,
was soloist, Mrs. Kenneth Hanson, also of Lansing, was organist.

Pallbearers were six of his grandsons; Glen, David, Jay, and Gary Wendel, of Lansing; Harlan Steiber, also of Lansing, and Alfred Wendel,Jr., of Spring Grove, Minn. Interment was in the family lot at Oak Hill Cemetery, Lansing.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wives and four brothers, Charles, Theodore(Tade), Elmer, and Henry.

Survivors include two brothers; Frank, of Tampa, Fla.; and Adam, of Detroit, Mich.; his seven children, fourteen grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren, besides a hosts of friends.