Thomas “Tom” R. Wendel

Thomas “Tom” R. Wendel, 82, of Mason City, IA, died Monday, August 10, 2015, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday August 14, 2015, at the First United Methodist Church, 119 S. Georgia, with Rev. Kathleen R. Moore and Mary Snell officiating. Interment will take place in Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Mason City Veterans Association. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM on Thursday August 13, 2015, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. Memorials may be directed to the Tom Wendel memorial fund in care of the family.

Tom was born July 15, 1933, in rural Mason City, the son of Harold and Liola (Kilfoil) Wendel. He graduated from Mason City High School. In 1953, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served his country during the Korean Conflict until his honorable discharge in 1955. He married Sharon Doescher in Glenville, MN in 1960. Over the years he worked for DX Bulk Plant, Milk Service (Arizona), and at John Deere for over 30 years until his retirement in 1993. Tom enjoyed spending time with his wife of over 50 years and with his family. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, VFW and the American Legion.

Tom is survived by 3 children: Jon (Deb) Wendel of Johnston, IA, Shayla (Marv) Sessions of Emerald Isle, NC, and Shelley (Jon) Schrage of Ottumwa, IA; 8 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild; 1 brother: Harold (Doris) Wendel; 4 sisters: Lila Perry, Mary (Jerome) Baker, Loyola Bohnsack and Paula (John) Chambers; and sister-in-law: Margaret Loomer.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; 1 daughter: Sheryl Wendel; 5 brothers: Wilbur, Howard, Cliff, George, and Jerry; and 1 sister: Juanita Johnson.