David L. Wendt

The funeral service for David L. Wendt, 76, of rural Stewartville, MN,  will be at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday (October 26,  2019) at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pleasant Valley,MN with Rev. Marc Freiberg Sr. officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Mr. Wendt died on Tuesday (October  22,  2019) following complications of a lengthy illness with Parkinsons  Disease, at the Stewartville Care Center, where he had been a resident since 2009.            

David Lee Wendt was born on April  26, 1943 in Rochester,MN to Carl and Beulah(Reich)Wendt. He grew up on the family farm, attended Stewartville schools, graduating from Stewartville H.S. in 1961.  Dave was a lifelong farmer on the Wendt Family Century farm that was established in 1890. He was a dairy farmer and raised Milking Shorthorns that he took great care and pride in as they often received certificates of excellence for milk quality from the Rock Dell Creamery. He would enjoy watching his nieces and neighbors show some of his cattle at the area fairs, where they would often earn champion awards.  He loved horses and bought his first horse, Rex, at the age of 15 after earning $165 working for area farmers in the summer and after school. He raised and rode horses all his life until his health declined. He was also employed for a few years at Libby, McNeill and Libby in Rochester and at the Rock Dell Garage. Dave was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and served as an usher. He had a tremendous memory and a quick wit and enjoyed engaging with people. After moving to the Care Center he could often be found sitting outside by the front entry greeting everyone as an unofficial ambassador for the Center. He was an avid reader and enjoyed fishing, canoeing, in younger years - motorcycling, rollerskating and dancing, trivia and board games and going to draft horse pulls. Dave  enjoyed visiting with friends and neighbors and loved time spent with family, especially his nieces and nephews.                     

David’s family wishes to thank the staff at the Stewartville Care Center for their faithful and loving long term care and to Season’s Hospice for their loving support and care.        

David is survived by 2 sisters and 2 brothers – Dennis(Rose) Wendt of Stewartville; Charles Wendt of rural Stewartville; Cheralyn(Dennis)  Runkle  of  rural Racine and Jean(Glenn) McClellan of West Salem,WI; 10 nieces and nephews – Shawn Wendt,  Andrea Wendt, Jason Wendt, Lynette(Nathan) DeCook, Missy Johnson, Alisa(James) Jerz, Jeremy Runkle, Heidi(Thomas) Meinke, Eric(Kala) McClellan, Keith(Sarah) McClellan; 21 great nieces and nephews, 2 great-great nieces and 1 great-great nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents.             

A time of visitation for family and friends will be held from 4 to 7:00 P.M.  on Friday (October 25, 2019) at Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville and 1 hr. prior to the service at the church on Saturday morning. David’s family suggests memorials to Seasons Hospice or the Stewartville Care Center. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of David are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com.

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