Wayne W. Wendt

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Bristow — Wayne  William Wendt, 75, of Bristow, died Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024 after a lengthy illness.

Visitation was held Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024 at Biglin's Mortuary in Spencer with a prayer service.

Funeral services were held Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 at the Bristow Community Hall in Bristow. Jeff Hart officiated.

Burial was in the Bristow Cemetery in Bristow with military rites provided by the Spencer American Legion Post 78

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Wayne was born June 17, 1949 in Lynch to Vernon and Mary Lou (Soukup) Wendt. He grew up near Gross and was in the last eighth grade class to attend the Gross school. He attended St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spencer with his family. Wayne was a member of Spencer High School Class of 1967. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and left for basic training in Ft. Polk, LA on his 18th birthday.

Wayne served in Vietnam, hauling supplies and troops to firebases. He developed a deep bond with the guys of the 515th Transportation Company. While there, he experienced a defining moment when he rolled a truck and felt God pull him through the canvas top of the cab. After his tour was done in Vietnam, he served for three months in Germany. He was honorably discharged on March 15, 1971.

While stationed in Vietnam, Diana Milacek, a girl from the neighborhood started writing him letters and they fell in love. Wayne returned to the farm in March, 1971. The couple was married on July 3, 1971 in the Methodist Church in Bristow, starting out with little more than an opportunity.

The couple made their home on the Landholm place, north of Bristow where they raised their three children Jeffrey Wayne, Mandy Sue and Michael James. As a father, Wayne taught his children how to work hard and have fun. When they weren't working together on the farm, the Wendts enjoyed many family vacations and spent countless summer evenings and weekends at their cabin on the river.

Wayne was a great farmer. He and Diana raised a variety of crops and livestock through the years. He had a reputation for being innovative and willing to try new things. He welded some of his own tools and once made two 4-row corn heads into an 8-row. He did custom farming, sold seed corn and was a mentor to many young farmers in the area. Wayne liked planting season the best. An eternal optimist, he always planned on a bumper crop. While he never fully retired, he continued to work as his health allowed.

  He was a member of the Bristow United Methodist Church, Spencer American Legion, Nebraska Salers Cattle Association and Save Boyd County. He served on the REA Board and as a 4-H leader.

Wayne liked to travel, enjoying nothing more than a road trip around the countryside or across the country. He had been to Canada, Europe, Alaska and most of the U.S. National Parks, but never found anywhere better than home.

Wayne loved to hunt and fish with his family and friends. He was a charter member of the Gross Coyote Club. He loved spending time with people and had a way of incorporating fun into whatever he was doing.

Most of all, Wayne enjoyed his family. His biggest joy was being a grandfather and he was determined to spend enough time with his grandkids that they would have many wonderful memories with him. He was very proud he could leave some land to his loved ones. Wayne wanted everyone to know that he was blessed with a good life. He had a happy childhood, wonderful friendships through the years and success in his endeavors. He will be lovingly remembered by a wonderful family. He was thankful for each of you….  until we meet again.

Wayne is survived by his wife Diana Wendt of Bristow; three children Jeff Wendt of Spencer, Mandy (Todd) Maher of Shenandoah, Iowa and Michael (Brenda) Wendt of Bristow; eight grandchildren David Wendt, Darin Wendt, Heather Wendt, Bailey (Nick) Dinges, Summer Maher, John Wendt, Paige Wendt and Abbie Wendt; two sisters Diane (Tom) Ellis of Mead and Marcia (James) Maly of Yankton, SD; one brother Greg Wendt of Bristow; aunts and uncles Frank (Diana) Soukup of North Carolina; Alice Krotter of O'Neill, Dorothy Connot of Lincoln, Arlene Connot of Spencer, Cathy Fuxa of Humphrey, Carol (Dean) Kruse of Norfolk and Dave (Linda) Soukup of Kansas City; mother-in-law Arlene Hargens of Spencer; one brother-in-law Duane (Anita) Milacek of Omaha; one sister-in-law Joan (Steve) Vakoc of Verdigre; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Michael and Steve (Rhonda) Wendt, one sister Karen Wendt, one uncle Tom Soukup, two nieces Theresa and Andrea Ellis and one great-nephew Kroy Vandenberg.                  

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