Wendell Robert Wardell, 79

Wendell Robert Wardell was born on Oct. 20, 1942. He died on Dec. 17, 2021, leaving behind a life well and thoroughly lived, his wife, two children and four grandchildren.

Wendell was born in Grand Island, Neb., one of four children born to Harry and Alta Mae Wardell. His earliest memories came from the years during which his family lived in Deadwood, S.D., and he spoke fondly of playing hide and seek with his siblings in the museum across the street from their home. The family relocated to Billings, Mont., where Wendell was remembered as the athlete in a family of valedictorians.

Known as “Moose” during his high school years in Billings for his 6’6” frame and bulk, Wendell attended Washington State University on a full ride scholarship as a football offensive lineman and graduated in 1965 with a B.A. in business administration. Knowing that he would likely end up having to go to Vietnam, he was determined to do that as an officer. He used the ROTC program at WSU to accomplish that goal and was commissioned as a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force after graduation. When overseas in 1968 and '69, he arrived in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive and commanded base security at various locations throughout the country. He was fondly remembered by those he served with as “Capt. Spike Wardell, the biggest, meanest air cop in Vietnam.” While he was loathe to share the memories of war, the medals and commendations on the wall speak to the service rendered.

While attending WSU, Wendell met and married Katherine Wardell. Upon leaving the service, he and Kay returned to Billings, where Wendell assumed control of the family business, Tri-State Food Brokerage, begun by his father, Harry. Wendell expanded and built his business over the next two decades, gaining a reputation as a savvy negotiator with high standards before selling that business to a nationwide corporation. Wendell and Kay’s two children were born and raised in Billings.

Wendell and Kay enjoyed a 56-year marriage that led them to Georgia, back to Montana, briefly to Arizona, and then to an early retirement to Coeur d’Alene, where Wendell spent the happiest decade of his life. His community involvement there started with a “hobby job” as a driver for the library bookmobile, a job that he enjoyed for the opportunity to drive through the beautiful country of the surrounding towns. That hobby job grew into a role as the library’s financial officer, a position that allowed him to use his aptitude for numbers and financial planning. He later accepted a position as chief financial officer of the Coeur d’Alene school district, a role that uniquely drew upon his experience in law enforcement in the military, in business and financial planning, and in the politics of public service. In 2015, Wendell and Kay relocated to Durham, N.C., a move that allowed them to be actively involved in raising their granddaughters.

A Coug at heart his whole life, he reveled in every WSU Apple Cup victory. The ultimate survivor, he lived through polio as a child and went on to an active life. He survived a train wreck in which his rail car rolled down an embankment, years at war, an appendix that burst twice, a car wreck that totaled his Chevy suburban when T-boned by an armored truck and a stint on the Billings school board. He overcame sepsis on two occasions a decade apart, battled through constant pain associated with post-polio syndrome, and may be the only patient to undergo four total joint replacements on the same knee. He gloried in his private battle with the squirrels over his bird feeder and chortled as the unwelcome invaders skittered off of the freshly greased pole. His lifelong love of beef and butter may have contributed to the heart attack that precipitated his peaceful death surrounded by family and serenaded by Johnny Cash.

Wendell and Kay moved to North Carolina to be with family, but Wendell never relished the heat and humidity of the Southeast, and his heart was always in the Pacific Northwest. A celebration of life will be held in the summer for family and friends to welcome Wendell home to Coeur d’Alene, date yet to be determined. We will miss you Dad.