William C. “Bill” Wendel, 85, South Heart, ND, died Sunday, April 13, 2008 at St. Joseph’s Hospital & Health Center, Dickinson. Bill’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 am, Thursday, April 17, 2008 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, South Heart, with Fr. Shannon Lucht as celebrant. Interment will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND, military honors will be provided by the Belfield American Legion William C. Blair Post #144. Visitation will be from 8 am to 9 pm, Wednesday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson. There will be a KC Council 9043 rosary and vigil at 7 pm, Wednesday at Ladbury Funeral Service.
William Clement Wendel born June 25, 1922 in Dickinson the eldest of four children of Clement and Minnie (Cinder) Wendel. The family moved to South Heart in 1924 and starting at the age of six he would live with his Grandmother Cinder in Dickinson to attend catechism classes. As Bill grew older he would help his father in his blacksmiths shop.
William was an active member of his church starting at a very young age. He received his schooling through the South Heart system, graduating from South Heart High School. In October of 1942 Bill was inducted into the United States Army and had served with the 467th Engineer Maintenance Company as a technician fourth grade. He was able to see many foreign places while in the military and upon his honorable discharge in 1945 returned to North Dakota.
Bill continued to be active in his church by joining the Knights of Columbus in December 1945 and also by providing hands on help in the construction of the new St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Bill married Clara Heidt on February 22, 1949 at St. Mary’s. They have made South Heart their home to this day. He was a mechanic and a jack-of-all-trades, working at various businesses and eventually owning his own auto mechanic shop. Bill also ran school bus, delivered mail, served as a city councilman, janitor, city auditor and welder at different times of his life.
Bill’s family was very important to him and he cherished time spent with them. In spare time he enjoyed fishing, collecting stamps and coins, and Norman Rockwell plates.
Bill is survived by his wife, Clara; their five daughters, Kathy Wendel, South Heart, Barbara (Allen) Tarbox, Aberdeen, SD, Jackie (Brent) Daniels, Nashua, WA, Pam (Russell) Hoffman, South Heart, and Ann (Grant) Sittler, Pocatello, ID; two grandchildren, Daniel (Holly) Zastoupil and Kirk (Alice) Zastoupil; nine great-grandchildren; one brother, Bob (Mary) Wendel, Minnesota; one sister, Margaret (Emil) Wieglenda, Gladstone; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother and sister-in-law, Edwin and Tammy Wendel; and one nephew, William Wieglenda.
