Rudy H. Wendland, 87, of Sparta died Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, at Tomah Memorial Hospital in Tomah.
He was born March 19, 1937, to Harold and Julia (Ludeking) Wendland in the town of Wellington, Wis. On Sept. 27, 1958, Rudy was united in marriage to Nina Bray. With this union two boys joined their family. Later, Rudy and Nina divorced.
Approximately a year after Rudy and Nina were married, Rudy enlisted in the United States Army. He did his basic training in Fort Riley, Kan. After basic training, he was stationed in Korea, returning in two years to Colorado Springs, where he then ended his military career.
Rudy worked for the Township of Wilton and Tillman’s in Wilton. He then worked as a highway worker (patrolman) for the Monroe County Highway Department for over 30 years.
Rudy is survived by his two sons, Bruce (Cathy) of Elroy and Dale (Cheryl) of Sparta; his brothers, Ed (Lillian), Ralph (Mary), and Irv (Julie), all of Tomah; his grandchildren, Jenna (Dani) Eno of Elroy, Shania Wendland of Elroy, Abigail (Wyatt) Shanahan of Ladysmith, Wis., and Ben Wendland of De Soto; his great-grandchildren, Brayden Eno of Elroy and Delilah and Natalie Wilcox of Elroy; and a special friend, Linda Richardson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Alice Likely; and his granddaughter, Mikayla Wendland.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Sparta, with Rev. Micah Schoeneck officiating. Burial, with full military honors provided by VFW Post 2112 and American Legion Post 100, both of Sparta, will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Sparta.
Family and friends are invited for visitation from 4–6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, and from 10–11 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation in Sparta is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
