Wendell Ellis Lee, the son of William and Opal (Caldwell) Lee was born March 28, 1944 in Knoxville, Iowa. Wendell served in the U.S. Army at the beginning of the Vietnam War and was stationed in Hawaii and Saigon before his discharge. After his return to Iowa, Wendell was united in marriage with Stephanie Tomlinson on December 28, 1968 in Des Moines, Iowa. To this union, four children were born.
Wendell worked as a CNC Machinist for Fisher Controls, Dayco, and he retired from Mid America. He was a member of the Iowa Llama Association. He enjoyed horseback riding, fishing, hunting, farming, and loved reading his Kindle. His children and grandchildren were very important to him and he enjoyed being a part of their lives. Wendell was a private man and he did not realize the positive impact he made on the people around him.
Wendell is survived by his three daughters, Wendy (Brian) Tidman of New Providence, Iowa; Lisa (John) Opperman of Hawkeye, Iowa; and Jennifer (David) Mull of Eldora, Iowa; ten grandchildren, Andrew (Kimberly) Jeske, Hannah (Eric) Winter, Dannielle (Abe Siems) Spangler, Logan (Kassidy) Jeske, Marilyn (Brock) Adams, Mason Jeske, Andrew Mull, Seth Jeske, Gemma Mull, and Grace Mull; seven great grandchildren, Payden, Weston, Bennett, Leif, Rylee, Newton, and Jett; one sister Lori Dehner of Melbourne, Iowa; a sister-in-law, Geri Lee of Melcher, Iowa; sons-in- law, Mike Jeske and Monty Spangler; and several nieces and nephews.
Wendell was preceded in death by his wife, Stephanie; his son, Jeffrey Lee; great-granddaughter, Huxley; a sister, Lovia Gerhart; a brother, Mike Lee; a sister, Virginia Lee; his parents William and Opal; father-in-law, George Tomlinson, Jr.; mother-in-law, Esther Fees; and father-in-law, Ralph Fees.
No services are being planned at this time.
Memorials may be made in Wendell’s name to the Isaak Walton League of Marshalltown, 2601 Smith Avenue, Marshalltown, Iowa 50158 or to the Iowa Llama Association.
Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of West Union, Iowa is assisting the family with services.