Wendell L. Johnson, 77, of Le Mars passed away Friday, September 8, 2017 at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa. A time of sharing and remembrance will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at the Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. The family will be present to greet friends from 5-8 p.m.

Wendell Lee Johnson was born on May 7, 1940 in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, the son of Albert and Helma (Grindland) Johnson. He was Baptized and Confirmed in the Lutheran Church. Wendell graduated from Lincoln High School, Thief River Falls MN in 1958. While in high school, Wendell was a member of the 1956 state hockey championship team. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy on July 28, 1959. Wendell served aboard the USS Parson destroyer. He earned an Honorable Discharge on July 17, 1963.

On October 24, 1964, Wendell and Sharen Marie Schmidt were married at Zion Lutheran Church in Michigan, North Dakota. Wendell’s work took the family throughout the United States. While living in Leadville, Colorado Wendell worked as a miner. In 1967 the family moved to Dallas Texas so he could attend computer programming school. He worked in the computer field in Dallas TX, Thief River Falls MN and Manitowoc WI.

In 1985, Wendell and his family moved to Le Mars, Iowa where he took a position at K-Products in Orange City, Iowa where he retired. During his retirement years, Wendell became an avid golfer and spent many hours and made many friends on the course.

Wendell is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sharen Johnson of Le Mars, IA; their son, Tyler and his wife, Lisa Johnson of Urbandale, IA; Sharen’s brothers and sisters, Marlys and Larry Hoverson, Connie Schmidt, Milton and Marlys Schmidt, Darryl and Wanda Schmidt, Dwayne and Kathie Schmidt, Sylvia and Greg Daws, James and Annette Schmidt. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins to whom he had a close bond.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Lois (Jerry) Fretting, Marian (Francis) Brault and Ardith Johnson; a brother-in-law, John Schmidt; and a nephew, Michael Brault.