Tom was born on April 23, 1945 in Milwaukee, WI to Alfred and Alice (Schimmelpfennig) Wendt. He grew up and received his elementary education in Freistadt, Wisconsin. He was a graduate of Milwaukee Lutheran High School and attended Milwaukee Area Technical College. He was drafted by the U.S. Army and stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. On January 8, 1972 at Chesterfield, MO he married Nancy Jean Mahl. Tom worked as a sales manager for Hatz Diesel of America, Inc. In 2011 he retired after over 40 years of dedicated service. In June of 2005 they moved to the Rib Lake area. Tom was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Whittlesey, Rib Lake Fish and Game, Spirit Lake Association, Rib Lake Legion and served as a Town of Rib Lake Supervisor for a period of time.
He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy Wendt of Rib Lake; their daughters, Stephanie (Randy) Smith of Waukesha, WI and Lara (Daryl) Kistenmacher of Dale, WI; and three grandchildren, Zach Guenther, Veda & Jillian Kistenmacher. He is also survived by two brothers, Gerald (Patty) Wendt & Richard (Cindy) Wendt, both of Rib Lake. Also survived by many loving family members and friends who will miss him dearly.
Tom was proud of his early days of playing baseball and enjoyed fishing, golfing, boating, hunting and woodworking. He was also an avid Milwaukee Brewers fan.
A memorial service for Tom will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, August 15 at Trinity Lutheran Church, W5334 Dassow Avenue, Medford with Pastor Ralph C. Shorey, III officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Hemer Funeral Service of Rib Lake and Medford. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Tom’s name may be made to Never Forgotten Honor Flight, Wausau, WI. For online condolences, please visit hemerfuneralservice.com.
