A Funeral Service for Margaret H. Wendell will be held on Friday, July 12, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Chaplain Kathy Doiel officiating. Interment will follow at the Wilcox Cemetery, Wilcox, Nebraska.
Margaret Helen (Speidel) Wendell, 102 years of age, of Holdrege, formerly of Wilcox, died on Sunday, July 7, 2024, at Holdrege Memorial Homes in Holdrege. Margaret was born in the Northeast corner of Harlan County, Nebraska, on September 2, 1921, the eldest of three children, born to Lloyd and Elva (Newton) Speidel. She received her education at Wilcox Public School and graduated with the class of 1939.
Following graduation, she attained an Associate’s Degree from Hastings, Nebraska Business School. Margaret was united in marriage to Lester W. Wendell on March 15, 1942, at her parent’s home in NE Harlan County. Together the couple farmed and Margaret was the Bookkeeper for the farm until their retirement in 1988. She also worked at Rexall Drug in Hastings, Nebraska, and Artistic Woven Labels in Holdrege for 10 years.
In her free time, Margaret enjoyed gardening, reading, embroidery, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She attended the Wilcox Methodist Church, and was a member of the Holdrege Methodist Church and the last original member of the U-GO-I-GO Extension Club in Phelps County.
She was preceded in death by her parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Willie and Clara (Walters) Wendell; her husband, Lester in 1988; a son, Larry Wendell in 1996; a granddaughter, Andrea in 1979; and five brothers-in-law and their wives: Verle and wife, Elvera; Loren and wife, Mildred; Paul and wife, Ruth; Ron and wife, Ruby Jean; and Marvin.
Margaret leaves to celebrate her life; her children: Monte Wendell and wife, Cinde of Johnson Lake, Nebraska; Cheryl Echtenkamp and husband, Dennis of Kearney, Nebraska; daughter-in-law, Carol Wendell Schwanz and husband, Dave of Alma, Nebraska; nine grandchildren: Lisa Mason and husband, Brett of Bertrand, Nebraska; Michelle Samuelson and husband, Brent of Bertrand; Mike Wendell and wife, Stacey of Smithfield, Nebraska; Jeanne Strain and husband, Scott of Omaha, Nebraska; Beth Wagner and husband, Paul of Papillion, Nebraska; Stacy Souerdyke of Papillion; Jill Lavene and husband, Justin of Lincoln, Nebraska; Kirk Harms and wife, Megan of Kearney, Nebraska; and Joe Wendell and wife, Hannah of Smithfield; 24 great-grandchildren: Bryce, Haley, Allison, Jake, Peyton, Kaylee A., Olivia, Landon, Kyler, Kaylee W., Ava, Erin, Lacie, Laina, Regan, Coy, Addie, Dylan, Carter, Grant, Ashlyn, Claire, Millie, and Tony; three great-great-grandchildren: Stella, Rooney, and Jordyn; her sister, Jean Johnson of Holdrege; sister-in-law, Dot Speidel of Santa Cruz, California; along with many nieces, nephews, extended relatives and friends.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, July 11, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
A memorial in Margaret’s honor can be made to: Holdrege Memorial Homes, the Wilcox Methodist Church, the Wilcox Cemetery, or Donor’s Choice.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com
The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.