Vernon "Vern" Wendt

Vernon Joseph Vern Wendt was born a Packers fan August 28, 1938 in Green Bay, WI, the second child of seven children born to Herbert and Ellen Wendt of Seymour, WI. He died peacefully at his home after a long fight with carcinoid syndrome in the company of his longtime nursemaid and daughter April, his granddaughter Kail sleeping in a near room, and beloved cat Becca on September 8, 2017, at age 79.He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Herbert and Ellen (Reed) Wendt; infant brother, Michael Wendt; eldest brother, David Wendt; two treasured children, Barbara Helen Wendt and Michael Edward Wendt; beloved son-in-law, Michael Lloyd Davis; and one precious grandchild, Melissa Analiese Wendt. The intervening years tell the story of an honorable man called to serve his country, to love God, and to cherish and nurture his earthly family.Vern grew up in Seymour, WI. He attended St. Johns School through eighth grade and Seymour High School through graduation. Young Mr. Wendt was an avid outdoorsman, bow hunting and fishing in his free time, a skill he passed on to his sons. While playing first the clarinet then the oboe in the school band, he was active in the Drama Club and chaired several committees, going so far as to build a working fountain decoration from scratch for his senior prom. Vernon helped his mother and father with the family business, The Snowflake, a local branch of A&W.He enlisted in the Air Force for Avionics directly out of high school in 1957, missing his own graduation ceremony to attend basic training. He met Kathy Nyman-Wendt at his first permanent station in Great Falls, MT and they married August 8, 1959. They were married for over forty years and brought 14 children into the world before dissolving their union. Even after their divorce, they remained amicable for the sake of their shared experiences and often traveled together for childrens and grandchildrens celebrations. Their most recent trip was to Green Bay, WI for the reunion his extended maternal family holds every summer.Vern spent 20 years in the US Air Force, retiring with a rank of staff sergeant from the service after spending time stationed in such far-flung places as Kansas, South Korea, Greenland, and the Vietnam Conflict in both 1970 and 1974. Before retiring from the military, he received his BA in Business Administration from the College of Great Falls in 1974 and when he retired in 1977 began managing the Mailing Shoppe Office Supply Store in downtown Great Falls. When the store closed, he held various jobs (sometimes two or three at a time) to keep his large brood fed and clothed. He was alternately a stocker at the Commissary, a paper delivery man, a manager of JBs, a caretaker of Mt Olivet Cemetery, co-owner of an antique mall, a night clerk at Townhouse Inns, and even food service personnel at the College of Great Falls to help two of his children with their tuition costs. His children saw by example obligations to family required self-sacrifice and hard work. He never begrudged this labor.Vernon was a loyal, private man. He was a Knight of Columbus, 4th Degree, and earned a 50-year membership pin. He was jovial in a reserved way, laughing with abandon when something struck him funny. GG Vern would often fade into the background at family parties and events, watching the merriment and enjoying the hullabaloo from a safe vantage. His hazel eyes sparkled with joy whenever a grandchild or great grandchild sought him out at these gatherings for a quick hug. Kathy jokes he was the least fortunate introvertmarried to her outgoing personality and blessed with so many children. Vern would have heartily disagreed. While the noise and chaos werent what he prized, hed not have had any fewer than all of his children for anything in the world. He would play a round or two of spades or cribbage every holiday and was an expert carver so each plate had an even share of whatever special dish was prepared no matter how many surrounded the full table. He prized knowledge, art, and expression. Verns children were required to be polite and well-behaved but also encouraged to innovate, explore, and self-express. Most of them followed in his creative footsteps whether playing instruments, singing, or creating art. He was a handy man, repairing things as needed and building onto the family home with assistance from the older children. Nearly every summer, he took his family to the shores of Lower St. Marys Lake to enjoy the natural beauty of Glacier. With his wife and children, he traveled 42 of the 48 contiguous United States on lengthy road trips, often returning to his place of birth for visits with extended family. He was famous for giving drawings as presents, knowing a hand-made gift held more meaning. When his youngest grandson needed help with a Pinewood Derby car, he shared advice in technique freely while reminiscing about Boy Scout races past. In his final years, Vern enjoyed relaxing with the television on, playing computer strategy games, honing his painting skills, curating his unique collections, and letting the cat outside. He often hosted large birthday or holiday parties where his family would gather to celebrate. No family is perfect, but Mr. Wendt strove to make his so.He is survived by his remaining four siblings, Judith Pokorny (George) of Holland, MI, Daniel Wendt (Patricia) of Milwaukee, WI, Colleen Gallob of West Bend, WI, and Timothy (Karen) Wendt of Minneapolis, MN; ex-wife (the mother of their 14 children), Kathryn Nyman-Wendt of Great Falls, MT; along with their 12 living children, Dina Wendt of Great Falls, MT, Martin (Jody) Wendt of Nottingham, NH, Christopher Wendt of Great Falls, MT, Bruce Wendt of Bozeman, MT, Veronica Wendt of Washington, DC, Sarah (Daniel) Donnelly of Kalispell, MT, Joshua Wendt of Great Falls, MT, Grace Davis of Great Falls, MT, April Wendt of Great Falls, MT, Elizabeth Smithson of Great Falls, MT, Samuel Wendt of Fayetteville, NC, and Francis Wendt of Bozeman, MT.Verns remaining 17 grandchildren, Misty, Marlena (Brian Weber),, Benjamin (Jamie Osgood), Lesley (Pamela Plomondon), Krystine (Jeffrey Scolley), Seth, Riley, Searra, Solomon, Aspen, Phoenix, Nyree, Kelsey, Elijah, Kail, Addison, and Isaiah; and his eight great-grandchildren, Dade, Liana, Liam, Adrianna, Ariana, Micah, Jocelynn, and Elliot also survive this great man.Vernons vigil will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 17, 2017 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Great Falls, MT with a reception to follow at Holy Spirit Parish Center. Funeral liturgy will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 18, 2017, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with interment to directly follow the mass in his family plot at Mount Olivet Cemetery. He will be buried with military honors. A reception will follow interment at Holy Spirit Parish Center. Viewing is available for one hour before both the vigil and the funeral liturgy at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Peace Hospice of Great Falls whose nurses and support staff were instrumental in keeping Vernons final days serene, the Montana War Memorial honoring veterans like Vern, or any charity of choice.