Elsie Marie Wendel

Elsie Marie Wendel (nee Koenig) of Beach Corner, Alberta was born September 9th, 1930 and passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on August 15th, 2023 at the Westview Health Centre in Stony Plain, Alberta.

Elsie is survived by her adoring children, Larry Wendel (Min), Brian Wendel, Gregory Wendel, Lorne Wendel and Linda Hagen (Tim); eight grandchildren Kimberly, Erin, Curtis, Mystique, Ryan, Jesse, Michelle and Kristy; thirteen great grandchildren, and her sister Charlotte (Alan). She was predeceased by her husband, George Edward Wendel (d. 1972); her son Kenneth Charles Wendel (d. 2023); her parents, Karl and Marie Koenig and her sister Emma.

Elsie was born at home near Mere Lake, Alberta and grew up on the farm. She attended the Lakemere School until Grade nine and completed her high school grades at Stony Plain Memorial High graduating in the Spring of 1948. On November 27th of that year, she was married to George Wendel and they lived the remainder of their lives on a farm near Beach Corner, Alberta where they raised six children.

Dad passed early in life leaving our Mom to raise the children residing at home and work the farm. Mom was very hard working and completely dedicated to her family. Aside from the farm work, she maintained very large gardens and sometimes worked outside of home all the while raising her young family. She acquired her driver’s licence and loved to drive to town for shopping or just take in the sights.

During the winter of 1988, her son Greg was involved in a very serious car crash which caused severe injury. After a year in hospital, Mom took Greg home and cared for him over the next 32 years. Mom was the ultimate caregiver. She was a great cook who loved to bake and hosted many family gatherings in her home. You dare not say you liked something she had or you would be taking it home with you. She loved her flower gardens and flower pots and every year worked hard to ensure they looked just right alongside three acres of lawn. Elsie was an active member and supporter of St. John’s Lutheran Church at Beach Corner up until her last day.

Elsie remained living at home on the farm all of her life until an event in early July of this year caused her to enter hospital for care. Her wish was to live her last years on the farm and that is what she did.

They say tough times don’t last, only tough people do, and Mom saw her share of adversity in life with the early passing of her husband, her son Greg’s vehicle accident and the early death of her son Ken. She never quit and never gave up. She always had a smile on her face and never complained about what she didn’t have but took great joy in what she did have.

There will be a Memorial Service at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1533 Parkland Drive, Parkland County on Friday, September 22nd at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Elsie Wendel to St. John’s Lutheran Church – Cemetery Endowment Fund.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ParklandFuneralServices.com for the Wendel family.