George H. Wendel

George Harold Wendel, 86, of Mason City, died Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014 at Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa.  Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014 at Major Erickson Funeral Home with Chaplain Rev. Father Jerome Baker officiating. Interment was at Memorial Park Cemetery.  Military Honors were conducted by the Mason City Veterans 

Association.  Memorials may be directed to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), 1603 S. Monroe Ave., Mason City, Iowa 50401. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com.

George was born March 30, 1927 in Mason City, the son of Harold Leroy (H.L.) and Liola Mary (Kilfoil) Wendel.  He attended Mason City public schools.  At age 18, George was drafted into the U.S.A.F. during WWII as an Airline and Engine Mechanic and served his country while stationed in Munich, Germany, until his honorable discharge on Jan. 28, 1947.   

George married Jeannine DeVoIa Lucken on Aug. 21, 1949 in Kensett, Iowa. Together they farmed for many years (Wendel Grain & Cattle Farm).  George started farming in 1950 and rented property and a home from Alex Wohler.  In 1958, George and Jeannine bought their first land and moved their family to the existing home site, which was located northwest of Mason City near his father’s homestead.   George lived at this farm site for approximately 60 years until he needed assistive and long-term care and resided in Mason City, Willow Pointe, and Good Shepherd Nursing Home.  George had several secondary jobs to help sustain the farm operation including the following:  Mason City Brick & Tile, Weavers Readi Mix and snow removal for the Willowbrook area.

George is survived by three daughters,Tanya Wendel, and husband, Thomas  Norris, of Indian Wells, Calif., Kimberly Wendel, of Clear Lake, and Valerie Wendel-Filkins and husband, Lyle Filkins, of Omaha, Neb.;  four sisters, Lila Perry, of Scottsdale, Ariz.,  Mary Ann Wendel-Baker and husband, Rev. Jerome Baker, of Mason City, Loyola “Sherry” Bohnsack and friend, Roy Myers, of Mason City, Paula Chambers and husband, John, of Waterloo, Iowa; two brothers, Tom Wendel, of Clear Lake, and Harold Wendel, and wife,  Doris,  of Mason City; and two sisters-in-law, Della Wendel, of Charles City, and Iris Wendel, of Mason City.                

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife in 2012; three brothers, Howard, Clifford and Gerald Wendel;  one sister, Juanita May Johnson; sister-in-law, Sharon Wendel; and brother-in-law, Vernon Perry.

   Arrangements were made by Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, Mason City.