Grace V. Wendorf, age 81, of the Town of Pine River, Lincoln County, died Tuesday, March 15, 2011, at Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center, Merrill, surrounded by her loving family.
Grace was born November 17, 1929, in Merrill, daughter of the late Leonard and Violet (Heinrichs) Henrich. She married Clifford A. Wendorf on June 19, 1947, at St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ, Merrill. He preceded her in death on January 31, 1988. Grace was the Vice President/Treasurer of Wendorf Bus Service, Inc., Merrill. She was a member of St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ, Merrill, and was involved with the church’s food pantry and was a money counter.
Grace was the pitcher for the Merrill Cardinals semi-pro ladies softball team. She had also tried out for the Kenosha Comets ladies professional fast-pitch softball team. Grace coached the Henrich’s Club slow-pitch team for over forty years; ending her coaching career in 2010. Grace loved spending time with her family, traveling the world, deer hunting and fishing. Grace was a member of Whitetails Unlimited. Grace excelled at bowling, and was inducted into Merrill Bowling Hall of Fame, and was also a member of the “600 Club”. Grace was a Merrill Blue Jay fan and contributor and enjoyed watching all sporting events, especially any event involving her children and grandchildren.
Survivors include one daughter, Karen (Chuck) Abraham, of Wausau; two sons, Roger (Julie) Wendorf and David (Sara) Wendorf, both of Merrill; one daughter-in-law, Rose Wendorf, of Merrill; eleven grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Wendorf; and one son, Steven ‘Beaver’ Wendorf, in 1994.
The funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M., Monday, March 28, 2011, at St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ, Merrill. Pastor Missy Holdorf will officiate. Burial will take place in Merrill Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Sunday, March 27, 2011, and again after 9:00 A.M. Monday, March 28, 2011, all at the church. The Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ, Merrill, the Merrill Food Pantry, or the Merrill Park and Recreation Department.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com