Magdalena Wilhelmine Wendel of Fredericksburg passed away on Saturday November 6, 2021 at the age of 98. She was born on December 4, 1922 in Fredericksburg to Lorenz W. and Alma Oehler Wendel. On October 17, 1953 she married Milton J. Wendel in Harper TX.

She is survived by her son Lorenz Wendel and wife Jannabeth of Mason, granddaughter Loren Wendel.

She is preceded in death by her parents Lorenz and Alma Wendel, husband Milton Wendel, daughter Marian Alma Wendel, sister Adalena Klaehn.

Graveside service will take place on November 9, 2021 at 1:00p.m. in the Christ Lutheran Church Cemetery with pastor Scott Hoffman officiating.

Memorials may be made to Harper VFD, St. James Lutheran Church or the charity of your choice.

Magdalena's earthly adventures began almost a century ago with her twin sister by her s ide. While Adalena helped their mother, Alma in the kitchen and with household chores, Mag dalena proudly spent countless hours on horseback helping their Daddy, Lorenz raise cattle and livestock at their family ra nch in Harper . She and her Daddy would often saddle up well before sunrise so they could ride a few miles to work the sheep and goats while they were still bedded down. In short order, Magdalena realized a strikin gly handsome and tall young Navy sailor na med Milton was the love of he r life. They were married on October 17, 1953 and built a life together on the ranch in Harper . Their h ome was soon fill ed with the pitter patter of 2 children – Lorenz Gus and Marian Alma, both named after her parents. In the early years, Mag dalena's days were filled with life as a rancher's wife and mother. When she wasn't cooking and tending to household chores, she was out on the ranch by Milton's side. Together they helped Lorenz and Marian raise 4H livestock projects and were actively involved in shooting sports and soil conservation. In her forties after raising the children, Magdalena earned a degree in Nursing and began a new career and her life's work as a nurse. She spent decades caring for others, mostl y at Knopp Nursing Home. At the tender young age of 82, she was still working evening shifts, often taking care of people who were years younger than her. An yone who knew Magdalena knew they would never go to her home and leave hungry. Seemingly with a pinch of this and a dab of that, she could effortlessly whip up a meal fit for a king from whatever was in the fridge or fre ezer. Her homemade biscuits and chocolate chip cookies could have won awards – and they definitely won the heart of anyone who was lucky enough to sit around her table and partake. A few short months ago, Magdalena's special girl, Marian , gained her
angel wings. Marian had never been far from her Momma's side, and they had spent hours together in the kitchen as Magdalena worked her magic in creating delicious dishes to share with family and vi sitors who soon became family . Life since Marian left has been challenging as Magdalena's body and mind began failing . Lorenz, Jannabeth , and Loren stepped in to care for her as her fierce independence faded . Magdalena's earthly struggles are gone as she surely sits by Milton with Marian talking non - stop of earthly adventures and what they are going to do next. F or her service, Magdalena i s covered in the double wedding ri ng quilt she so lovingly pieced together and that Milton stitched while Marian of course supervised. She is also surrounded by things she loved –
her Daddy's handmade roping rope – one she surely held in her hands as they worked cattle together . . . a nursing hat signifying her life's work . . . deer horns for the countless hours s he spent in a hunting blind to provide food for h er family . . . and a white dove. " On the Wings of a Dove " express es the beauty of a faithful life well - lived . "When troubles surround us, when evils come, t he bo dy grows weak, t he spirit grows numb . . .When these things beset us, He doesn't forget us - H e sends down His love o n the wings of a dove ."

A Celebration of Magdalena's and Marian's Lives is planned for her 99 th birthday - December 4, 2021, 2 p.m., in St. James Lutheran Church, Harper TX. A fellowship will follow in the parish hall.