Wayne L. Wendorf

Wayne Laverne Wendorf, age 81, passed away on Saturday, November 13, 2010 at HospiceCare in Fitchburg.   Wayne was born on February 7, 1929 in Milton, Wisconsin to Richard Henry and Meta Kathryn (Probst) Wendorf.   Due to a heavy snowstorm, they spent several days at the midwife's house, then traveled by horses and bobsled (sleigh) to their rural Milton farm home. Wayne attended three one-room grade schools; North Milton, Sunshine, then Curtis Mills, from which he graduated the eighth grade.   In 1946, he graduated from Jefferson High School.   He went on to receive a BS in Vocational Agriculture Education in 1950 from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. On June 30, 1951, he married Carolyn C. Schroeder.   Together, they had six sons.   Wayne and Carolyn enjoyed traveling together as well as spending time with family and friends. Wayne was the instructor for the Veterans on the Farm Program in Lone Rock, Iowa from 1950-1951.   He served in the U.S. Army CIC from 1951-1953.   From 1953-1956, he was the Vocational Agriculture instructor at Cambridge High School.   This was a special time in his life, making lifelong relationships with many students.   A scholarship in his name is sponsored and financed by a former student.   From 1956-1961, Wayne worked for the Marketing Division of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture in charge of Alice in Dairyland programs.   From 1961 -1969, he was the director of Marketing for Tri-State Breeders in Westby, WI, then for VitaPlus in Madison from 1969-1975.   From 1975-1997, Wayne was the co-owner and President of Garver Feed and Supply, Madison.   The business was purchased by Cargill, Inc; the land and buildings were purchased by Olbrich Botanical Gardens. He enjoyed each of his jobs and the people he met along the way.    Many of those relationships remained strong up to the time of death. Wayne was active in community activities.   He served three terms each as President of the McFarland School Board, McFarland Lutheran Church Council, and the McFarland Lutheran Cemetery Association.   He was on the Board of Directors and Manufacturing as well as the Committee Chairman of the American Feed Manufacturers Association.   Wayne's special interests and hobbies included raising a family and caring for God's creation through planting trees and gardening.   Wayne was an avid reader.   He loved his grandchildren dearly.   He always made sure they were happy.   Some of his favorite times out and about were to watch the Badgers play basketball, having lunch with friends, and woodcutting with his sons. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; infant brothers, Glenn and Dickie; infant grandsons, Thomas and Nathanial; sister-in-law, Ardyth Rossing; brothers-in-law Carl Becker, William Rossing, Robert Weinbergen, Thomas Finn, and Robert Hollenbeck.   He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Carolyn; sons, Christopher (Vicki). Peter (Amy), Thomas (Andrea), James (Linda), Timothy (Cindy), and Andrew (Francine); grandchildren, Matthew, Adam (Jennifer), Michael, Elizabeth, Ashley, Dustin, Joseph, Sally Bolser, Katherine, Amber, Max Eggenburger, and Hannah; sisters, Dorothy Becker, Elayne Finn, and Phyllis Hollenbeck; brother, Larry (Nancy); and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 11:30 am at McFarland Lutheran Church, 5529 Marsh Rd., McFarland, with the Rev. Jerry Tews officiating.   Burial will follow at Lower McFarland Cemetery.   The family will greet friends at church on Thursday from 9:30 am until the time of service.   Memorials may be made to McFarland Lutheran Church, or to the McFarland Education Foundation.   ""It's true that we only live here once, but if we do it right, once is enough""- Paul C. Brownlow