Mayme Wendl

mayme wendl
Mayme Rosalyn Wendl, age 92, of Rochester, Minnesota, formerly of Nashua, Elkader, and Cresco, Iowa, died Sunday morning, September 27, 2009, at Sunrise Cottages in Rochester. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 Wednesday September 30, 2009, at St. Michaels Catholic Church, Nashua with Msgr. Stanley Hayek celebrating the Mass. The pall will be placed on the casket by her children. Sons, Ron and Steve Wendl will serve as lectors. The offertory gifts will be presented by Gina Cernohous and Bailey Cernohous. Internment will be in Cavalry Cemetery, Cresco with Matt Bruening, Joe Wendl, Dean Swenson, Nicole Wendl, Susan Petersen and Kathi Cernohous serving as pall bearers. Friends may call 4:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Hugeback and Chenoweth Funeral Home in Nashua, where there will be a 4:00 p.m. Rosary and a 7:00 p.m. Scripture Service. Visitation continues 9:00-10:00 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Mayme was born June 12, 1917, in Fort Atkinson, Iowa, the daughter of Louis and Anna (Novak) Houdek. She graduated from Rudophinum High School in Protivin, Iowa in 1934 and attended Iowa Teachers’ College (now U.N.I.) for one year. She taught country school in Winneshiek County for two years before marrying Clarence Wendl on October 4, 1940 at St. Raphael’s Cathedral in Dubuque, Iowa. Six children were born to their union, five surviving to adulthood. Mayme was an outstanding homemaker and mother. After raising her children, she held several jobs in the Elkader area, including eight years as the first Activity Coordinator at the Elkader Care Center. Her energy, creativity, and deep compassion made her a natural for this type of work. She was a magnificent cook, excellent writer, and voracious reader. She loved music and dancing, especially her favorite polkas. After retiring, she and Clarence moved to Nashua until Clarence’s death in 2004. She then moved to Sunrise Cottages in Rochester where she was lovingly cared for by her nearby children and the outstanding Sunrise staff. Mayme is survived by three sons, Gil (Connie) Wendl of Charles City, Ron Wendl of Rochester, and Steve (Cindy) Wendl of Anamosa; two daughters, Diane Foley of Rochester and Judy (John) Bengfort of Winona, MN; 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; a brother, Lester (Jean) Houdek of Lakeville, MN. She was preceded in death by a stillborn daughter, Nancy Wendl in 1941; her parents, Louis in 1966 and Anna in 1972; three brothers, Joseph, Louis, and Benjamin Houdek; two sisters, Augusta Klimesh and Emma Kratz.

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  1. Mayme’s family We were sorry to read in the local of you moms passing. We will remember the warmth and smiles she brought to us all when she visited her brother Benny. Sympathy and Friendship.

  2. Dear Wendl children……Learned of the loss of your mother while reading the Cresco paper online….I have many good memories of fun times at your house as a child…bonfires and all…your parents were always very kind. May God bless you with good memories, too….. Thinking of you and sharing in your sorrow……hope you are all doing well…Sending my love, Ruth Wildman Lundberg

  3. Steve, Cindy and Joe, Just heard… So sorry for the loss of your Mother. Our prayers are with all of you. Terry, Wendy, Mike and Alisha, Zack and Amelia Armstrong

  4. Diane, Gil and All, I have such fond memories of your mom from our Cresco years as neighbors. She was such a delightful, fun loving lady. How lucky you all were to have her as a Mom. She lived life to the fullest. You all have many special memories to hold dear. Rose

  5. Steve & family, My deepest sympathies to you and your family. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Ken, Jenni, & Jacey Pirc


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