Darroll Wendorf

Our beloved Pops, Darroll Ward Wendorf, went “home” to be with his Lord and Savior on

February 8, 2021. He died peacefully at “the farm” where he was born over 92 years ago on

March 6, 1928. At the time of his home-going, “Sonny,” as he was known to so many, was

surrounded by the love of his life--his dear and beautiful bride of 74 years, our mom, Lois

(Lambrecht) Wendorf, and his beloved family.

Darroll attended Hillside School and Merrill High School and graduated summa cum laude from

the School of Hard Knocks. He was a hard-working farmer (cows, horses, pigs) and he’ll be

remembered long and well for one of his favorite activities--sitting atop his John Deere tractor,

out in the fields, whistling away happily as he worked the land on the homestead that had been

owned by his father and grandfather before him. Along with farming, Darroll also hauled milk to

the Page Milk Company, logged with teams of horses as a young man, delivered papers to rural

homes, worked for the Railway Express Agency at the train depots in Wausau and Merrill, drove

school bus, and was a very skilled carpenter who helped several of his children build houses on

the homestead.

His favorite job of all time, however, was raising the eight children that he and Lois had made

together. He and our mom provided rich opportunities for extending love, wise counsel, and

endless enchantment to their 21 grandchildren, and 27 great grandchildren as well. Darroll and

Lois also graciously opened their home to 17 foster teenagers over the years. Dad enjoyed

music very much, sang and played the accordion, organ, and harmonica. He also enjoyed

building and flying experimental aircraft, camping and traveling, golfing, horseback riding,

making maple syrup, and flying remote-controlled airplanes.

Dad loved our God, our mom, our family, and God’s church in that order. Dad’s life changed

dramatically when, as a young man, he and Lois became Christians and started following Jesus

together. His well-worn Bible and his honorable life stand as testimony to the love and grace of

God in his life. Darroll was an active member of Bible Presbyterian Church serving for years as

a deacon, an elder, an elder emeritus, and a Sunday School teacher. His kindness, wisdom,

and gentle strength were blessings to all who knew him. He was always ready to lend a helping

hand to anyone in need. What an incredible legacy Dad has left to all of us in his love for the

Lord, his model of godly living, and his service to others. Daddy truly loved God with all his

heart, soul, mind and strength and loved his neighbors as himself.

Darroll is survived by his wife, Lois and eight children--Christine, Sherman, TX; David (Patti),

Merrill; Cathy (Dave Goetz), Gleason; Carrie (Bob Gustin), Tomahawk; Don (Coreen), Merrill;

Karen (Bruce Heldt), Gleason; Richard (Dawn), Merrill; and Cheri (Dan Hammond), Kalispell,

MT. He is further survived by 21 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren. He was preceded in

death by his parents, Arthur and Pearl (Zimmerman) Wendorf, three sisters (Helen, Marian, and

Velma), two brothers (Kenneth and Norman), and one grandson, Adam Wendorf.

Darroll’s absence will be felt deeply in the lives of those who knew and loved him, but we also

rejoice knowing Dad is with Jesus and can see again, hear again, breathe again, and move

again freely and without pain. Go, “Pops,” rest high on that mountain, and enjoy hearing our

Heavenly Father saying, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”

A public visitation will be held on Saturday, February 27th from 9:00-11:00 am in the foyer of

Bible Presbyterian Church. A private memorial service for family will be held immediately

following at 11:00 am. The memorial service will be live-streamed on the Bible Presbyterian

Church-Merrill , Wisconsin Facebook page for those who wish to participate virtually.

Memorials may be given to Bible Presbyterian Church, 1605 Hwy G, Merrill, WI , 54452. The

family would like to thank Pastor Andy Perry, Jenn, Rachael and the entire team from Aspirus

Hospice and Comfort Care, and Lisa Weix and her team from Foundations Heathcare for their

loving care for Daddy and support for all of us as caregivers.

Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online

condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.