John G. Wendt finished his race and went home according to his faith. He died on July 24th at 1:30 pm at the Stevensville Montana home he shared with his beloved wife Joan. This last hu
b of their world travels, sharing the love of Jesus Christ, had become a comfortable resting place for his final years. He enjoyed the mountain views, hunting and fishing in God’s bounty, though his real passion had been to share the peace and joy he had found in a personal relationship with his Savior, always eager to pray for God’s blessings on family, friends and acquaintances alike.
John was born in Marshfield, WI February 28th, 1931. He grew up in Marshfield and then on to college at the University of Wisconsin, Madison where he earned a degree in poultry science. Following graduation he worked full time for his father, Jim, at Wendt’s Hatchery until 1961, when he transferred to Jerome Foods, Inc. of Barron, Wisconsin. Soon after, the family moved to Almena, WI where John and Joan raised their children. It was here that John learned to acknowledge God, and taught his family to do the same.
In 1982 John and Joan moved to Rochester, MN to another Jerome Foods Hatchery until his retirement in 1987. Their travels began with a People to People trip to China and Japan and then transferred to ELI China when they began teaching English to university level students in China and even Tibet. Several of these students were “adopted” as family and along with their spouses and children have remained close.
John spent many years working with COPI (Children of Promise
International). Serving as a board member he helped facilitate sharing the Gospel through education and nutrition programs with children in the various COPI homes around the world.
John’s travels have allowed him to share the Gospel in countries on four continents. Most of these trips he was able to make with Joan and on several trips they were able to share these cross cultural experiences he loved with each of his grandchildren, taking them one by one to exciting places that included Central and South America and Asia.
As John’s health began to limit travel, he became more involved with the next generations, actively supporting local pro-life efforts and visiting young people in the local juvenile detention center. He never lost his passion and commitment to tell people how good God had been to him.
John was preceded in death by his parents, IW “Jim” and Mayme Wendt and his older brother, William “Bill” Wendt.
John is survived by: his wife Joan (Green) Wendt; his three children and their spouses, John (Hans) Wendt and wife Rene, Tom Wendt and wife Linda, Katy (Wendt) Hofman and husband Mark, 10 grandchildren and six great grandchildren; also several special loved ones that are foster or “adopted” children and their families.
His greatest desire was that everyone he met would know the secret that is “…Christ in you the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27.
A private, family service was held at the graveside July 26th at Sunnyside Cemetery, Stevensville, Montana.
A celebration of life service will be held August 29th, 10:30 a.m. at Lone Rock Bible Church, Stevensville, Montana.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of the following
organizations: Children of Promise International (COPI), 6844 Loop Road, Centerville OH 45459-2159 or Care Net of Missoula, 1515 Fairview Avenue, Suite 250, Missoula MT 59801.