1925
Donald
2019
Donald E. "Don" Wendt
May 18, 1925 — October 17, 2019
Donald Eugene Wendt, age 94, passed on October 17, 2019, at the Zumbrota Care Center surrounded by his family. Don was born on May 18, 1925 in Blue Earth, MN, to Oliver and Helen Wendt. He graduated from Blue Earth High School in 1943. Don attended the University of Minnesota Ag School where he excelled in basketball, track and drama. In the summer of 1944 Don managed a combine crew that participated in the Massey Harris Harvest Brigade, harvesting from Oklahoma to North Dakota. In the fall of 1944 he enlisted in the Navy and served in the Philippines until August 1946 when he returned to the family farm in Blue Earth.
In June of 1949, Don married Virginia Krahling and they raised five children, James, Stephen, Keith, Jean and Barbara, before later divorcing. In 1966 Don moved the family from Blue Earth to Zumbrota, MN where he farmed and sold fertilizer for Phillips 66. He joined the Howe Company (later ConAgra) in 1971 where he first sold fertilizer and was later involved in the design and construction of the new fertilizer processing plant in Shakopee, MN. Don was Plant Manager from construction phase until his retirement in 1992.
Don married Marjorie Flom in July of 1996 in Zumbrota. They lived on the farm until 2003 when they moved to town where they loved to share vegetables from the garden and their yard was always filled with beautiful flowers and birds. Don raised harness horses and they watched them race in Minnesota, Iowa and North Dakota.
Throughout his life Don was an active member of many organizations including United Redeemer Lutheran Church, Lions Club, American Legion and served on the Zumbrota School Board from 1970 to 1988. Don loved his family, life on the farm, working the land, livestock especially horses, his dogs, family vacations, woodworking and 4th of July fireworks.
Don was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Eleanor Bogenschutz. He is survived by his wife Marjorie, brother Myron (Jan) Wendt, his children James (Connie) Wendt, Stephen (Susan) Wendt, Keith Wendt (Ivan Serrano), Jean (James) Holton, Barbara (Steven Kania) Wendt, and Marge's children Eric (Jean) Flom, Marie (Bill) Pond, Karin (Bill Shedrow) Flom, grandchildren Melissa Campbell, Eric (Jessica) Campbell, Thomas (Amy) Wendt, William Wendt, Marcus Wendt, Nicole (Jeffrey) Carlson, Peter (Sarah Cunningham) Flom, Melissa (Chris) Hennessey, Wyatt Pond, Ingrid Pond, Lucas Flom and Lily Flom, and 9 great grandchildren.
The family would like to express their appreciation for the care, attention and kindness given to Don by his caregivers from Visiting Angels, the Zumbrota Care Center and especially those from Hospice.
Memorials preferred to Zumbrota-Mazeppa Education Foundation, United Redeemer Lutheran Church or donor's choice.
560 West 3rd Street
Zumbrota, MN, 55992
560 West 3rd Street
Zumbrota, MN, 55992
560 West 3rd Street
Zumbrota, MN, 55992
In June of 1949, Don married Virginia Krahling and they raised five children, James, Stephen, Keith, Jean and Barbara, before later divorcing. In 1966 Don moved the family from Blue Earth to Zumbrota, MN where he farmed and sold fertilizer for Phillips 66. He joined the Howe Company (later ConAgra) in 1971 where he first sold fertilizer and was later involved in the design and construction of the new fertilizer processing plant in Shakopee, MN. Don was Plant Manager from construction phase until his retirement in 1992.
Don married Marjorie Flom in July of 1996 in Zumbrota. They lived on the farm until 2003 when they moved to town where they loved to share vegetables from the garden and their yard was always filled with beautiful flowers and birds. Don raised harness horses and they watched them race in Minnesota, Iowa and North Dakota.
Throughout his life Don was an active member of many organizations including United Redeemer Lutheran Church, Lions Club, American Legion and served on the Zumbrota School Board from 1970 to 1988. Don loved his family, life on the farm, working the land, livestock especially horses, his dogs, family vacations, woodworking and 4th of July fireworks.
Don was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Eleanor Bogenschutz. He is survived by his wife Marjorie, brother Myron (Jan) Wendt, his children James (Connie) Wendt, Stephen (Susan) Wendt, Keith Wendt (Ivan Serrano), Jean (James) Holton, Barbara (Steven Kania) Wendt, and Marge's children Eric (Jean) Flom, Marie (Bill) Pond, Karin (Bill Shedrow) Flom, grandchildren Melissa Campbell, Eric (Jessica) Campbell, Thomas (Amy) Wendt, William Wendt, Marcus Wendt, Nicole (Jeffrey) Carlson, Peter (Sarah Cunningham) Flom, Melissa (Chris) Hennessey, Wyatt Pond, Ingrid Pond, Lucas Flom and Lily Flom, and 9 great grandchildren.
The family would like to express their appreciation for the care, attention and kindness given to Don by his caregivers from Visiting Angels, the Zumbrota Care Center and especially those from Hospice.
Memorials preferred to Zumbrota-Mazeppa Education Foundation, United Redeemer Lutheran Church or donor's choice.
Visitation
NOV 1. 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)
United Redeemer Lutheran Church560 West 3rd Street
Zumbrota, MN, 55992
Visitation
NOV 2. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CDT)
United Redeemer Lutheran Church560 West 3rd Street
Zumbrota, MN, 55992
Memorial Service
NOV 2. 11:00 AM (CDT)
United Redeemer Lutheran Church560 West 3rd Street
Zumbrota, MN, 55992
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