Wendell Langendorfer

Wendell E. Langendorfer, 87, Wahpeton, ND, died Monday, December 14, 2009 at St. Catherine’s Living Center , Wahpeton. The Memorial Funeral Mass will be 2:00 PM, Monday, December 21, at St. John’s Catholic Church, Wahpeton with visitation one hour before the service at the church with Rev. Dale F. Lagodinski officiating. Vertin-Munson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Military Honors to be provided by the Wahpeton VFW Post No. 4324, Hafner-Miller-Ross American Legion Post No. 20- Wahpeton, and North Dakota Military Funeral Honors. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. John’s School , Chahinkapa Park , or St. Catherine’s Living Center .

Wendell was born November 7, 1922, in Wahpeton, ND, the son of Earl G. and Beulah (Zimmer) Langendorfer. He grew up on a farm in Mooreton Township where he attended grade school. He went on to attend Wahpeton High School and NDSCS. Wendell farmed with his father up until 1945 when he went into the U.S. Army. He married Virginia Schmitz on August 5, 1945 at Alexandria , Louisiana . After his discharge from the service he returned to Richland County where they farmed for two years. The family moved to Wahpeton where he worked for Duin Construction as a heavy equipment operator and later as a Caterpillar operator with the Richland Soil Conservation District for four years. In May of 1955 he started his long standing employment with Chahinkapa Park in Wahpeton. He started as staff and became the superintendent of the park in July of that year. Over the years he developed along with community leaders the shelters, zoo, swimming pool and softball fields into one of the areas most complete municipal park systems. He also provided a charcoal barbecue service which served many local events and this experience helped him develop “Wendell’s Salt” which he sold locally and nationally. He retired on November 1, 1987 and received the “Extra Mile” award from the Wahpeton Chamber of Commerce for the many improvements that were added to Chahinkapa Park during his tenure. He continued to stay active in his many interests; he commented after retirement he was going to stay in Wahpeton because he hadn’t seen another community he liked better. He recently entered St. Catherine’s Living Center , Wahpeton.

Wendell was a “Life Member” of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, life member of the Last Man’s Club, American Legion, Wahpeton Eagles, Senior Citizens, North Dakota Parks and Recreation Association and a charter member of the Wahpeton Buffalo Club.

Wendell is survived by his wife of 64 years, Virginia, Wahpeton; four children: Earl (Karen) Langendorfer, Casper, WY; Bruce (Corrine) Langendorfer, Wahpeton; Terry Langendorfer, Mesa, AZ; Jon Langendorfer and his friend Cathy Bird, Wahpeton; 8 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, and a son-in-law, Jim Gregory, Helena, MT.