Barbara Mae Wendt

1932 - 2023

Lake Mills, WI - Barbara Mae (Wolfgram) Wendt made her journey to her heavenly home Friday afternoon, October 6, 2023.

Barbara was born May 1, 1932, in Waterloo, Wisconsin.

She went to school in Waterloo and graduated from Waterloo High School. After graduation she attended MATC in Madison.

She would spend summers on a family farm where she earned her love of horses. She also learned to appreciate gardening and taking care of birds, especially cardinals. She always had a bird feeder outside her window so she could watch them.

She met her husband Willie Wendt at a dance and they became lifelong partners and were married September 12, 1951 in the United Methodist Church in Waterloo, WI. They were married 56 years. After their marriage they moved to Lake Mills and lived there until 2000 when they moved to the Cambridge Courts II condo association in Cambridge, WI where she served on that board for many years.

Barbara worked at Hamlin Inc, for several years, she was also secretary to the Lake Mills High School Superintendent and finally worked as the office manager at Wendt Insurance, the family business, until she retired.

Barb loved the Lake Mills Moravian church where she was a lifelong member. She taught Sunday school for many years and ensured that her children grew up to love and serve the Lord. She served on many boards and the Women's Fellowship board as well. She also loved being part of Market Day, where she chaired to the candy room! Often, she would take candy to her friends and during her stay at Brook Gardens she would make holiday packages for the staff and residents. She was one of the favorite residents and everyone would always have wonderful things to say about her.

During their life together Barb and Willie were involved in many activities. Barb joined a women's stock club. Barb and Willie also were part of a square-dancing group that met at the Lake Mills Town Hall. They had many friends with whom they shared many good times and special occasions.

Both she and Willie enjoyed the game of golf and were members of both the Lake Mills and Lake Ripley Country Clubs. Barb became part of the weekly Women's Tuesday League where they golfed, had lunch and played in a euchre tournament. She made many good friends at both clubs.

The most important part of her life was her family, she loved spending time with all of them and especially loved the grandkids and great grandkids. They were an integral part of her life and she made time to travel to see family if they did not live nearby. She and her family also made sure that the family would get together for the holidays.

Barb is preceded in death by her husband Willard Wendt, her parents Carl and Mildred Wolfgram and her brother Robert C (Lorreta) Wolfgram as well as many aunts and uncles.

She is survived by her sisters, Maureen Giese and Carol Zimbric both of Waterloo; her son David (Julie) Wendt; two daughters, Kathy Wendt, Cheri (Langdon) Reinke; Grandchildren Jennifer Hayes, Gretchen Gullixson, Brandon (Hannah) Reinke, Corin Reinke, Peter Wendt, and Hannah (Keegan) O'Reilly; seven great grandchildren; as well as adopted family friend to the Reinke's, Brandon Rose and a longtime friend of the family, John Drews.

Barb's life was a wonderful example of how to live life to the fullest, care and love each other with all your heart and serve the Lord with gladness!

A Celebration of Barb's Life will be held on Saturday October 14, 2023, at the Lake Mills Moravian Church in Fellowship Hall. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am followed by a prayer service and time of remembrance at 12:30.

Private family burial will be in Rock Lake Cemetery.

We would like to offer a special thank you to the staff of Lake House (Brook Gardens) for their wonderful care of Barb over the last few years.

If desired, memorials would be appreciated to the Lake Mills Moravian Womens Fellowship for missions.

www.claussenfuneralhome.com