-Thomas "Tom" Wendte 1947 - 2009

OLANDER, WENDTE, ANDERSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 11/23/2020 at 22:48:46

Sioux City Journal
27 May 2009

Thomas Wendte

NEWCASTLE, Neb. ( Died Sioux City) -Thomas "Tom" Wendte, 61, of Newcastle passed away Sunday, May 24, 2009, at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Salem Lutheran Church in Ponca, Neb., with the Rev. Dr. Neal Anthony officiating. Visitation will be after 3 p.m. today, with the family present at 6 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m. at Mohr Funeral Home in Ponca. Condolences may be sent online to www.mohrfuneralhome.com.

Tom was born to Lyle and Mildred (Olander) Wendte on Nov. 14, 1947. He was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church in Ponca. He graduated from Newcastle High School in 1965. He went to barber school in Sioux City following graduation.

He worked in the barber shop in Newcastle before moving to Fairbanks, Alaska, in 1967. His first job in Fairbanks was at Fort Wainwright Army Base, where he cut hair. He also worked on the Alaska Pipeline at Prudhoe Bay. He then opened his own barber shop, The Shear Shack, in Fairbanks. He was in Alaska for 28 years before returning to Newcastle in 1994. He then ran the barber shop and worked at Lyle 's Bar.

He married Becky Anderson in 1970. From this marriage he had a son, Shane Thomas Wendte.

He loved the outdoors and spent much of his free time at his cabin at the river. His family treasures his stories from his time spent in Alaska. Living in Alaska was one of the highlights of his life. He was so proud of his son, Shane, and that he has continued to make his home in Alaska.

Survivors include his son, Shane and his special friend, Lori of Anchorage, Alaska; his parents, Lyle and Mildred Wendte of Newcastle; six siblings, Sheryn Asher of Austin, Texas, Peggy and her husband, Dave Anderson and David Wendte and his wife, Julee, all of Ponca, Pam and her husband, Kevin Johnson of Sioux Falls, S.D., Kevin Wendte of Sheldon, Iowa, and Cindy and her husband, Gregg Doeden of Phoenix, Ariz.; and 11 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; and two brothers-in-law.