It is with both sadness and joy that we bid our loving father good bye as he joined Jesus and Mom in heaven on May 5, 2025.

Wendell was the youngest of 3 boys born on November 11, 1934 to the late Mary Carolyn Strang and Russell Smith. When he was only 6 months old, his father passed away from a ruptured appendix. Mary and the boys went to live with his Grandma and Grandpa Strang for 8 years in Oconto WI. His mother married James Alton Roddy who was a wonderful father to the three boys. He liked to refer to Wendell as "Butch". At 10 years old, his half-sister Mary Lynn Michiles came into the world and 6 years later a second sister Joy Ann Downs was born.

Wendell eventually moved with his family to Nahma, MI where he attended high school. He later moved to a Chicago, IL suburb where he met and married the love of his life Arlene Ellen Bolte. He and Arlene were true partners in life for 67 years before Arlene's passing on September 6, 2022. They raised 4 children, were loving grandparents to many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren.

Wendell worked very hard to provide for his family in the early years working three jobs including throwing newspapers in the wee hours of the morning. Wendell made his career in law enforcement beginning on the police force in 1956 in Wilmette, IL. Wanting a quieter, wholesome life for his young family, he moved them to a farm in Edgar, WI and continued his career in law enforcement for Marathon County WI. He retired in 1992 after 24 years on the force and the final 16 years as a Detective. Wendell was known and respected as "the best in his field".

Wendell was a God-fearing, humble man, loving husband and father who set an example of hard work, high integrity and the importance of a good sense of humor. Over the years in his "spare time" with the family's help, he farmed the land, raised beef cattle, and had horses, chickens and a huge garden.

Wendell had a love of sports and was quite an athlete. From Basketball in high school, to bowling, golfing and playing pickle ball all the way up to age 86, Wendell loved a good competition! Wendell and Arlene enjoyed a 21 year-long active, happy retirement residing at Lake Henry Estates in Haines City, FL. They enjoyed dancing and golfing together, bowling, pickle ball and playing cards with their many friends.

Wendell is survived by his four children; Nancy (Tony) Berken (Sheboygan), Robert (Jeri) Roddy (Owatonna MN), Susan (Thomas) Van Asten (Kaukauna), and Wendy (Jeff Ringle) Roddy (Rib Mountain), as well as 14 grandchildren, 21 and ½ great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren; His two sisters, Mary Lynn Michiles and Joy Ann (Tom Jones) Downs; Sister-in-law Pat Roddy and Lois Roddy and many, many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife Arlene Roddy and his brothers, Vernon Roddy, Dean Roddy and Russell Smith.

Special thanks to the caring staff at Country Villa for their support and care over the last couple of years and especially the last few days, as well as the compassionate care by his team at Unity Hospice.

Any cash donations will go towards a portal digital piano in honor of Arlene & Wendell for all to enjoy at Lake Henry Estate, Florida, where Arlene & Wendell lived and loved life for 21 years.

A celebration of his life will be held on June 14, 2025 at St Stephen Lutheran Church in Edgar, WI with visitation from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. and service at 11:00 a.m. Wendell and his wife Arlene will be laid to rest following the ceremony. A lunch for family and friends will be served at the Edgar Minnow Pond Park.

Ryan Funeral Home, De Pere and Peterson Kraemer Funeral Home, Edgar are assiting the Roddy family.