Alvin O. Wendland, Jr.

View Memorial Slideshow Alvin O. Wendland, Jr., of Wamego, Kansas, died January 19, 2017 at Good Shepard Hospice House in Manhattan, KS. Al was born May 2, 1931 in Manhattan, Kansas to Viola Mae (Price) and Alvin O. Wendland, Sr. Al served in the United States Air Force for over 10 years as an Air Craft Mechanic and Missile Technician. He was stationed at bases in Texas, Florida, Kansas and Pepperrell Air Force Base in St. John’s Newfoundland where he met his future wife, Delilah Lillian Gregory. They were married on May 12, 1956 at the Anglican Cathedral in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. They were married for 52 years until she preceded him in death on December 15, 2008. Al was a graduate of Manhattan High School in May 1949 and from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics. In his youth he was involved in 4H and won local, state and national awards for his Duroc hogs including State Grand Champion. He was a Future Farmer of America (FFA) State Farmer. His Senior year of High School he was awarded the Carl Raymond Scholarship for outstanding 4-H members. During his career, Al worked as a sales representative for International Harvester Co. in Topeka, KS and as District Sales Manager for Woods, Inc. He retired from Woods in 1991. Al and Lillian enjoyed many cross country road trips; visiting all but one of the lower 48 States and all the Canadian Provinces except Manitoba. They often planned the trips to include visiting Lillian’s family in Newfoundland. Al and Lillian also owned a cabin in Pike National Forest near Bailey, Colorado for many years. Al spent many happy hours remodeling the cabin. They enjoyed spending time at the cabin hosting Wendland Family Reunions, watching the birds and other wildlife, which included the occasional visit by bears. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Wamego, where he also served as a Deacon and a member of the Kansas State University Foundation President’s Club. Al is survived by his daughter, Debra Newton of Colorado Springs, son Mark Wendland and wife Judy of Topeka, three grandchildren, Amanda Newton, Christian Wendland and Jarrett Wendland, his sister Mary Pridey (Kent) of Estes Park, Colorado and brother Phillip Wendland (Dorothy) of Maple Hill, Kansas. He is also survived by his constant companion and beloved golden retriever, Goldie. He was also preceded in death by his son Stanley Gregory Wendland in 1983, his parents, and brothers George, Earl and Glen Wendland and sister Lucille Volkel. He will be greatly missed by family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego. Burial will follow in the Wamego City Cemetery. Mr. Wendland will lie in-state at the funeral home beginning at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 23rd, where family will greet friends at a visitation from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the KSU Foundation Stanley G. Wendland Scholarship Fund, the Alvin Wendland, Jr. Memorial at First Presbyterian Church of Wamego, KS, and the Center for Basic Cancer Research at Kansas State University, and may be left in care of Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego, PO Box 48, 66547. Condolences may be left at www.stewartfuneralhomes.com.