Robert Wendt

Robert Wendt, 72, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Thursday, September 4, 2008, at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Robert Lee Wendt was born April 15, 1936, in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, the son of Clarence Ferdinand and Leta Elizabeth (Schuning) Wendt. He grew up in the Avoca area and attended the Avoca Community Schools.

On October 27, 1956, Bob was united in marriage to Helen Ann Hansen at the Peace Evangelical and Reformed Church in Walnut, Iowa. Four children were born to this union; Christine Sue, Michael Robert, David John, and Eric Lee Wendt.

At the time of their marriage, Bob was employed by Olson Motors in Walnut, Iowa. In November of 1958 he was drafted into the Army, serving in Arkansas and Oklahoma until being honorably discharged in November of 1960. In December of 1960 Bob began his career with Atlantic Bottling Co. as a route salesman and service worker until his retirement in April of 2001.

Bob was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, Iowa, where he was confirmed, and later became a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa. Bob was a 34 year member of the Elks Lodge #455, in Atlantic, Iowa, where he served as a past Exalted Ruler and Trustee.

He enjoyed golfing and was a member of the Nishna Hills Golf Course. Bob also enjoyed dancing, singing, fishing, bowling, puttering around the yard, mushroom hunting and picking berries and asparagus. Most of all, Bob treasured the time he spent with Helen, their children and grandchildren.

Those left to cherish Bob's memory include his wife, Helen of Atlantic, Iowa; daughter, Christine Short and her husband, Cary of Redfield, Iowa; sons, Michael Wendt and his wife, Kathy of Omaha, Nebraska, David Wendt and Eric Wendt both of Atlantic, Iowa; his grandchildren, Trevor, Erin and Ashley Wendt of Omaha, Nebraska; brothers, Eugene Wendt and his wife, Jeanette of Avoca, Iowa, Willis Wendt of Sunnyvale, California; sisters, Lois Jacobsen and her husband, Dennis of Hancock, Iowa, Marlene Petersen of Thornton, Colorado, Janice Martin and her husband, Byron of Avoca, Iowa, and Beverly Knudtsen and her husband, Walter of Walnut, Iowa; sister-in-law, Joretta Wendt of Atlantic, Iowa; and nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Leta Wendt; his sisters, Inez Simpson and Marjorie Wilds; and his brother, Clarence Wendt.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, September 8, 2008, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa. Following the service, a luncheon will be held at the Elks Lodge #455, 501 Poplar Street, Atlantic, Iowa.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Elks National Foundation, 2750 N. Lakeview Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60614-2256.