Wanda Marceil Pyle Wendland, 84

Wanda Marceil Pyle Wendland was born December 23, 1927, on the family farm near Bryant, Indiana, to Jesse and Bernice (Loyer) Pyle.  She was raised on the family farm and attended school in Bryant.  Following graduation from Bryant High School in 1945, she attended North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Education. 

She married Gordon Wendland on June 12, 1949, at Burr Oak Evangelical Church in Bryant.  After marriage they continued to live in Naperville while Gordon continued his studies at the seminary and Wanda worked as a school teacher in Viola.  Gordon accepted his first call to Winona, Minnesota, and during their years there Wanda substitute taught and they began to raise their family.  In 1955, they moved to Austin, Minnesota, and in 1964, to Burnsville.  While in Burnsville, Wanda worked for the University of Minnesota and also continued her education - receiving her Masters Degree in Education.  In 1977, they moved to Anoka and during that time she received a degree in Nursing - working in the area as a nurse.  1991 brought a return to Burnsville, a new home and retirement. 

Wanda was a longtime active member of River Hills United Methodist Church in Burnsville, the choir, and the United Methodist Women.  She enjoyed sewing, cooking, children, her family and was a talented and accomplished organist, pianist and vocalist.  She was outgoing, loving, understanding, content, compassionate and a wonderful wife and mother.

Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Gordon; 4 children: Douglas and wife Carmen of Duluth, Luanne of Northfield, Kevin and wife Linda of Chaska, Angela and husband Gerald Windhorst of Arlington Heights, Illinois; 9 grandchildren: Arvilla (Peter) Rovit, Bruce, Katrina, Meghan, Michael, Isabella and Derek Wendland, Jon and Jenna Windhorst; 2 great-grandchildren: Mitchell and Nora Rovit; and other relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Olive Gierhart.

Wanda passed away with her husband and family by her side on Tuesday morning, January 17, 2012, at the Three Links Care Center in Northfield, at the age of 84. 

Services will be 5:00PM Saturday, January 21, 2012, at the Three Links Care Center in Northfield with Rev. Janet White officiating.  Music will be provided by.......
Visitation will be at the Three Links Chapel one hour prior to the service.

Memorials are preferred to the Rev. Gordon and Wanda Wendland Scholarship Fund at Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. 

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.