Helen Marie (nee Reid) Wendling Helen Marie (nee Reid) Wendling, 78, passed peacefully in her home on November 12, 2012. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Donald N. Wendling (1979) and her parents Thomas (Tom) and Mary Ann (Mollie) Reid. Helen leaves behind beloved children and their spouses: Michele M. Feeney (Matthew Feeney), a lawyer practicing in Phoenix, Arizona; Andrea L. Harmeling (Michael Harmeling), a doctor practicing in Boyne City, Michigan; and Michael D. Wendling (Michelle Wendling), the St. Clair County Prosecuting Attorney. Helen leaves behind her beloved grandchildren who brought her great joy and pride: Maureen, Colleen, Michael and Joseph Feeney, and their chosen brother, Rus Bigege; Anna, Katherine, Megan and Benjamin Harmeling; and Sean, Matthew, Thomas and Riley Wendling. Helen leaves behind many dear friends from her lifelong community of Emmett, Michigan, and her long careers in education and business. Helen will be remembered for her integrity and character, intellect and respect for education, work ethic and persistence, and her love of her children, grandchildren, and all children. She will be remembered for her beauty, elegance and presence. She will be remembered for her quiet ability to chart her own course and keep her own counsel. Helen loved the lyrics of a classic Sinatra tune, "My Way" - "I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way." Helen was a retired teacher (Eastern Michigan University, B.S. 1955, Michigan State University, M.A. 1984, Wayne State University, Ed.S. 1988) and retired in 1995 after forty years with the Port Huron Area Schools. In the late 1960s, she and her husband Don took up residence on the farm homesteaded by her Irish family in the mid-1800s in Emmett, Michigan. They restored the farm and launched a Christmas tree business. She took great pride in seeing the farm evolve into a home for her son Mike and his family, and a refuge for Michele and Andrea and their families. She also owned and operated Emmett Hardware, Inc. for over thirty years, a local business located on Main Street in Emmett. Helen's grandmother, Margaret Reid, started that business in the 1890s, after her husband passed away as a young man, leaving her with ten children to raise. Helen was an avid reader who never lost her love of learning. She attended dozens of Elderhostels, travelling to most corners of the United States over the last two decades of her life, and overseas as well. She was a good citizen with many volunteer commitments in the community, including long service on the Wales Township Board. She mailed in her last ballot in early November (though she never did disclose for whom she voted). Visitation will occur at Kaatz Funeral Directors, Inc., 71235 Memphis Ridge Road, Richmond, Michigan 48062 on Thursday, November 15, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the Rosary being said at 4:00 p.m. Helen's life will be celebrated with a Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church at 10828 Brandon Road, Emmett, Michigan, 48022 on Friday, November 16, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. Helen made all her sacraments and raised her children as a devout member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Fr. Tom Kuehnemund will officiate. Visitation with the family will begin in the church lobby at 10:00 a.m. After the Mass, burial will follow at Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Kenockee Cemetery at 11:30. The family will receive friends and family after the burial at a luncheon at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Hall located on the church property. Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the Emmett Baseball League, 10256 Webb Road, Wales, Michigan, 48027.
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Mrs. Wendling was a teacher of mine at Kimball elementary. She was a wonderful teacher always smiling, she made learning fun!! She always said hi to you if she seen you passing by in the hall. She definately will be missed by everyone who knew her. She touched your heart. My prayers go out to her family .
~Michelle Goodman, Port Huron,MI
November 27, 2012
Dear Michelle, Andrea, Mike and families, I have many fond memories of time spent at the farms as a child and I enjoyed getting together with your mom and some of you with my sisters and some of the Snyders a few years back. I know that Helen's kindness and wisdom will live on in her children and grandchildren. My thoughts are with you.
Ann (Hendrick) Taurick
November 17, 2012
Mike and Michelle
So for your loss. Your family is in our thoughts.
Jay and Carmen Jezierski
Carmen Jezierski
November 17, 2012
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Jim, Diane Sharpe
November 16, 2012
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
Kim, Josh, Shantel Sharpe
November 16, 2012
Mrs. Wendling was my Kindergarten teacher at Keewahdin School (Port Huron)in 1963-64. I loved her! She inspired a passion for learning that I have carried with me forever. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to her family. This beautiful woman made a difference in the lives of so many. I will always remember her with great fondness and gratitude.
Dianne Reynolds-Foster
November 16, 2012
Nedra Mouilleseaux
November 15, 2012
Hi Michelle and Matt, Andrea and Mike and Mike and Michelle and children, I am so sorry to hear about the death of your mother Helen. She was always a generous and intelligent person who was alot of fun to spend time with. I will think often of the adventures we have had on the farm over the years and the great community you lived in. Emmett will miss a special person and so will her family from Canada. May God bless and be with you at this time, hugs, Anne Marie Gibel
November 15, 2012
mike, so sorry to read about your mom passing on. my deepest sympathy to you and your entire family. May Gods comfort be with you now.
bruce mccumons
November 15, 2012
Mrs. Wendling was an amazing person, she was my teacher at Kimball School, 30 years ago (just aged myself) and I still remember her bun, amazing smile, and her kindness. She had a memory and didnt forget many faces or names, I ran into her years later and she still remembered me from kindergraten. She will be missed by many. My heart goes out to the Wendling family during this difficult time.
Diana M Hyde student from Kimball School
November 15, 2012
Mrs. Wendling was my kindergarten teacher many, many years ago. She was always so patient and kind and will truly be missed.
Jennifer DeWolfe (Hunger)
November 14, 2012
Mike and Michelle (and family),
So sorry about the loss of such a great lady. Our family (the Sharpes) had much love and respect for your mom.
Bernie Newby
November 14, 2012
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Brent & Stephanie Arnold
November 14, 2012
Mike and Michelle: Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
David Leyton
November 14, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Wendling's family. Cherish each other and look for peace and comfort in fond memories.
Christy LaVene
November 14, 2012
Dear Micheal & Michelle and family, I was so sorry to see the lost of your mom. My prayers are with you all. Know I am thinking of you two and rest of the family. Sincerely Pat Anger
Patricia Anger
November 14, 2012
My thought and prayers go out to you and your family. Your mom was such a beautiful woman both inside and out. She had such grace and strength. May you find comfort in all of your loving memories.
Maureen Stapleton
November 14, 2012
To the Wendling Family,
I am very sorry to hear about your mom's passing. My mom, Ginny Schaefer, did your parents income tax and books for many years. I remember your mom coming to the house for appointments when I was a young boy. She always had a bright smile on her face and was one of the most positive people I have ever met. Please know that you are all in my thoughts during this difficult time in your lives.
Tom Schaefer
November 14, 2012
To the Wendling family,
I am very sorry to hear about your mom's passing. My mom, Ginny Schaefer, did you parents income tax and books for many years. I remember your mom coming to the house for appointments and the bright, friendly smile that she always had on her face. Helen was a wonderful woman and will be missed by many. Please know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time in your lives.
Tom Schaefer
November 14, 2012
Andrea/Mike, Michele/Matthew, Michael/Michelle,
Your mother was truly a women of elegance and grace who charted her own course in life. She always had the ability to see the positive in every situation. I have been truly blessed by the opportunity to walk beside her on part of her life journey the last few years. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Amber Door
November 14, 2012
sO sorry to hear about Helen. I worked with her for many years at Kimball Elementary School. My deepest sympathy
Mary Daun Hartman
November 14, 2012
I attended Ruth N. Bacon School and enjoyed being around Mrs. Wendling. My mother, Marge Owens, made a great friendship with her as she ran the library and tutored many students. She was a woman with a shining light coming from her heart. Thank you for sharing her with us. May your memories sustain you during this difficult time.
Carole Owens
November 14, 2012
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