Glen "Wendy" Wendel

Glen William “Wendy” Wendel, 83, of Lansing, passed away Sunday, August 10, 2014 at his home.   
He was born in Waukon February 11, 1931 to Howard and Kaetchen (Zahn) Wendel.  He grew up on the family farm near the four-mile corner, and attended the four-mile school and Lansing High School, where he graduated in 1951.
His mother passed away when he was a young boy and he and his father continued farming. Later he and his father built a home at the foot of Mt. Hosmer.
He was active in music and sports and participated in band playing the clarinet; the vocal music program, where he was selected for the Boys State Choir; boys basketball; and also played with the Lansing Mudcats baseball team.  He was also selected to attend the American Legion’s Hawkeye Boys State in 1949 at Camp Dodge, which he found to be a very rewarding experience.
Following his graduation in 1951 he continued in the building trade with his father and Leonard Eckberg. In 1956 he was hired by the Iowa Conservation Commission (now the DNR) and worked at the State Forest Nursery near Ames, where he met his future wife, Margie, and later was recruited to help develop the Yellow River Forest utilizing prison inmate labor at the Luster Heights Facility.  He was named state employee of the year and he worked at Yellow River until his retirement in 1991.
Glen was united in marriage with Margie Dale Morris June 20, 1959 at EUB Church in Lansing.  
Glen is survived by his wife, Margie, of Lansing; his daughter Joylean (Rusty) Sun of Auburn, Alabama; two grandchildren, Paul Wach of Urbandale, Iowa and Deliverance Hope of Sylacauga, Alabama; three great-grandchildren, Christian, Chance and Destiny Cooper; his sister Ruth Johnson of Fairmont, Minnesota; and his many cousins, including Gary (Diane) Wendel of Waverly, Iowa, Jay Wendel of Stuart, Florida, Ruth Stewart and Ruby Gordon of Lansing, Iowa, Mildred Mandernach of Adel, Iowa, Phyllis Vankleek of Milford, Iowa, Hazel Copenhaver of Tucson, Arizona, Alfred Wendel, Jr. of Decorah, Iowa, Karen (Dale) Kuisle, Donald Wendel, and Larry Wendel of Minnesota, and several nephews and nieces.
Glen is survived by his wife, Margie, of Lansing; his daughter, Joylean (Rusty) Sun of Auburn, AL; two grandchildren, Paul Wach of Urbandale, and Deliverance Hope of Sylacauga, AL; three great-grandchildren, Christian, Chance and Destiny Cooper; his sister, Ruth Johnson of Fairmont, MN; his many cousins, including Gary (Diane) Wendel of Waverly, Jay Wendel of Stuart, FL, Ruth Stewart and Ruby Gordon of Lansing, Mildred Mandernach of Adel, Phyllis Vankleek of Milford, Hazel Copenhaver of Tucson, AZ, Donald Wendel of New Ulm, MN, Alfred Wendel, Jr. of Decorah; and many nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his cousins, David Wendel, Wilfred Wendel and Harlan Steiber; and his brother-in-law, George Johnson.
Visitation was held Thursday, August 14, from 4-7 p.m. at Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Lansing and one hour before services at the church Friday.
Funeral Services were held at 12 p.m. Friday, August 15,  at United Methodist Church in Lansing with Rev. Kevin Smith as the Officiant. Interment followed at Oak Hill Cemetery, Lansing.
Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Lansing is helping the family with the arrangements.
Condolences may be left at www.graufuneralhomes.com.