Lowell T. Wendt, age 78, entered into rest surrounded by his family on October 12, 2015. He was born on September 20, 1937 in Hutchinson, Minnesota to August & Ella Wendt. His early years were spent in Hutchinson on the family farm until the age of 8 when his family moved to Grandview, WA. After graduating Grandview High School he enlisted into the National Guard and served for 3 years. Following his service in the National Guard he worked for Boeing before returning to the Grandview area. He had a previous marriage and had 2 children. He then met and married his wife, Betty Jean, and has been married 44 years.
Lowell worked for the Grandview School District for 27 years as a bus driver/mechanic. He loved seeing the kids who got on his bus. He took pride in the fact that he knew all of the student’s names, some spanning three generations. After retiring in 2001, Lowell enjoyed camping, fishing, painting, gun collecting & traveling the back roads with his wife. He was truly the genuine “American Picker” and always looking for a great find.
Lowell is survived by his wife, Betty Jean; stepchildren, Larry Metteer, Marla (John) Schab, Suzanne (Marty) Homan; children, Jim Wendt and Lori Ann Wendt; and brother-in-law, Larry Gidner. He is also dearly missed by grandkids, Miles, Megan, Chandra, Sara, Johnna, Macauley, Josh and great-grandkids, Colin, Tylee, Colby & Lucas. He is also survived by Jim Bayle who has been a long time friend over the years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, August & Ella Wendt; brothers, Alroy & Harold “Ferg” Wendt; sister, Colleen Gidner; and stepson, Lonnie Metteer. Also a special thank you to everyone at the Tri Cities Cancer Center; Dr. Gamboa, Michelle Froh and all the assistants who took such great care of Lowell.
A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 17, 2015, at the Prosser Cemetery in Prosser,WA. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Tri Cities Cancer Center in Tri Cities, WA.