Violet Wendt

Submitted Story

Published: Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

Violet “Marie” Wendt was born Aug. 22, 1923, in Edgemont, S.D.,  to Charles and Wilma (Escott) Benson. She graduated from Hot Springs (S.D.) High School and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Marie married William Henry ‘Bill’ Wendt on Feb. 17, 1994. Marie worked at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Hot Springs for 31 years. She was a supervisor in the kitchen until her retirement in December 1979. Bill, her husband of 61 years, died in 2005. Marie’s life was centered around family and friends. She loved watching birds and planting flowers. She loved traveling with Bill, which was a big part of life. Marie was a member of the Rebecca’s, Cold Springs Historical Society, a painting group in Custer and the United Methodist Church in Pringle, S.D. Marie died April 16, 2009, at her home in Custer, S.D. She was 85. Marie was preceded in death by her husband; sisters, Wilma Curl and Marjorie Briggs; and grandson, Cameron Todd.  She is survived by one son, Gary (Susan) Wendt of Custer; one daughter, Pamela (Cameron) Taylor of Ten Sleep, Wyo.; brothers, Clarence Anderson of Edgemont, Chester (Sheri) Anderson of California, Ian Snyder; three sisters, Wanda Wendt of Prescott, Ariz., Esther (Harold) Waltman of Custer, Eunice (William) Holt of Iowa; 11 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Memorial services were April 21 at McColley’s Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs with the Rev. Floyd Mills and the Rev. Norma Mills officiating. Interment will occur at a later date. Memorials may be made to Cold Springs Historical Society or Pringle United Methodist Church. Written condolences may be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.