Juanita Edna Wendlandt

Juanita Wendlandt (Nita) passed away on May 13, in Spokane, Washington. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, and sister to her family and will be greatly missed. Nita was born December 3, 1928, in Twin Lakes, Idaho to Edna and Byrd Basye. Following the untimely death of her father, the family moved to Colville and later to Spokane where Nita graduated from North Central High School and afterward from Kinman Business School. Following graduation, Nita married Cliff Wendlandt and began her career working at The Shriners Children’s Hospital, which fueled her passion for children and helping those in need. Following her time with The Shriners, she worked in office management and inside sales at Mailliard & Schmiedell (a food broker) and at Rollins Truck Rental Leasing, where her business sense and relationship building skills were put to good use.

Nita was a long-time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and enjoyed numerous volunteer opportunities supporting area youth and homeless populations. Her loves in this life included her dogs and cats, gardening, reading, long walks including Bloomsday each year, and staying connected to her family and friends. She will be remembered for her strong faith, generosity, and acceptance of others.

Nita was pre-deceased by her husband Cliff and brother David. She is survived by her sister Mary Helen (Richard) Gutierrez, daughter Teri (Jim) Morrison, son Jay (Robin) Wendlandt, and grandkids Tye (Pia) Morrison, Ross Morrison, Camille (Chris Goodwin) Wendlandt, and Andrew (Kristina Blum) Wendlandt. Special thanks to Leanne Levno, the nurses and caregiver team at Riverview Retirement Community, Hospice of Spokane, and Dr. Petru Groza, all of whom worked to bring joy and comfort to our mother in the last years of her life.

A memorial service will be held on June 8th, at 2:00pm at Riverview Retirement Community. Friends and family are welcome. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Crosswalk Youth Shelter of Spokane or to the Spokane Humane Society in her name would be greatly appreciated.