Wendell Wilkie Galbraith, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. His passing marked a glorious and joyful reunion with the love of his life, Marilyn, who preceded him in death earlier this year on February 14, and with his beloved son, Jeff, who passed away in 1999. Since losing Marilyn, Wendell missed her fiercely every day, and we take comfort in knowing that the reunion between the three of them was surely one of heaven’s sweetest. Wendell was born on August 23, 1933, in Rigby, Idaho, to Wilkie W. Galbraith and Mabel Leona Later Galbraith. He was the second of four children, growing up alongside his siblings Beverly, Boyd, and Nadine. In his early years, the family relocated to Southern California, where he attended and graduated from Venice High School.
Not long after graduation, Wendell met Marilyn, his lifelong companion and eternal sweetheart. They were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on September 7, 1956. Just before their wedding, Wendell was drafted into the U.S. Army. While preparing for deployment in November 1956, he was honorably discharged due to a family hardship, allowing him to help support the family while his mother cared for his father, who had been diagnosed with ALS, and his sister Nadine, who had Down Syndrome.
Together, Wendell and Marilyn raised six children. Their family grew quickly – Debbie arrived just over nine months after their wedding, followed by twins Wendy and Wade, then Jeff, Mark, and finally, nearly a decade later, Jana. Family was always at the center of Wendell’s life.
Wendell worked in construction for many years and eventually co-owned a drywall business with his son, Jeff. After moving to Utah in the mid-1990s, he shifted careers and became a real estate appraiser, a profession he enjoyed and one that allowed him to work closely with several of his children. He had a deep love for gardening, and each summer his backyard became a place of beauty and nourishment, full of carefully tended plants and vegetables.
A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Wendell served faithfully in numerous callings throughout his life. He especially cherished his time as an ordinance worker in the Jordan River and Draper Temples, and he and Marilyn also served a mission together in Seattle, Washington, where he served as the automotive fleet coordinator.
Wendell was adored by his many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Known to all simply as “Grandpa,” he was endlessly generous, wise, and always ready with a helping hand or kind word.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marilyn; his parents, Wilkie and Mabel; his siblings, Beverly, Boyd, and Nadine; and his dear son, Jeff. He is survived by his children: Debbie (Lance) Robinson, Wade Galbraith, Wendy (Phil) Romney, daughter-in-law Julia Galbraith, Mark (Becky) Galbraith, and Jana Maurer, as well as a large and loving posterity.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at the meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 1988 W 11400 S, South Jordan, Utah. A viewing will precede the service from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the same location. Interment will follow at South Jordan Cemetery, 10630 S 1055 W., South Jordan.
Wendell’s family acknowledges with deep appreciation the many expressions of love, concern, and kindness shown to them during this time. Special thanks to the staffs of Suncrest Hospice (especially Staci, the hospice nurse who cared for both Wendell and Marilyn), Stonehenge Care Center of American Fork, Midtown Manor Care Center, and Family Funeral Care. Your compassion will never be forgotten.
