Obituary of Loretta Marie Wendt

Loretta M. Wendt passed away Tuesday afternoon, April 28, 2015, at her home at Park Centre, in Newton, under the care of Hospice. Pence – Reese Funeral Home in Newton has been entrusted with the arrangements. Funeral services for Loretta will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 7, 2015, at the First Presbyterian Church in Newton. A visitation with the family will be a lunch and fellowship time, following the services. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Loretta’s name are being designated to her family. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery in Avoca, Iowa. Loretta Marie Wendt, 100, the daughter of Christian and Mary Ida (Bohlander) Miller, was born March 29, 1915, near Avoca. She was a graduate of the Avoca Senior High and Drake University, with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism. She was employed by Dunn & Bradstreet Law Office in Des Moines, was a social worker for Polk County, Council Bluffs, Woodbury, Sioux City, and the State of Iowa Social Services. Loretta was the first woman on the Planning & Zoning Commission, for twenty two years. On May 15, 1943, Loretta was united in marriage with Wendell Wendt, at Camp Crowder, Missouri. Wendell was her high school and college classmate. To this union two daughters were born; Marti and Catherine. Loretta devoted her life to her family; and was a member of the Newton First Presbyterian Church. She taught the Tri-T Sunday School class, 15 years; was a member of the League of Women Voters, 50 years; and was a deacon. She enjoyed her family and roses, and will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her. Loretta was preceded in death by her parents. Those left to honor Loretta's memory include her husband Wendell of Park Centre; her daughters: Marti Wendt of Lasqueti Island, British Columbia, Canada and Catherine Fox of Chicago; grandson Hollis Linschoten of Vancouver, Canada, grandson David Wackerlin and his wife Sarah Kolbuc and their children Campbell and Eden Hope, all of Milton, Ontario, Canada.