Roger Wendt

Roger Verne Wendt passed away Nov. 27, 2020, with his sons at his side.

He was born to Gustav and Minnie Isch Wendt on Jan. 1, 1929, in Creston, the youngest of eight children.

He graduated from Flathead County High School in 1946, and attended Kinman Business University. He married Donna Jean Grainger Oct. 8, 1950, in Kalispell. Together they made a happy home for their four children, Diane (Tom) Brunkow, Gresham, Oregon; Duane (Pam) Wendt, Kalispell; Carol (Jerry) DeRego, Warner, New Hampshire; and Jim (Charlotte) Wendt, Kalispell.

He is survived by his wife, Donna; his children; nine grandchildren, Laura Sullivan, Nathaniel Wendt, Peter DeRego, Shane Salisbury, Diana DeRego, Heather Roberts, Jennifer Johnson, Brandon and Brock Wendt; 14 great-grandchildren, Lily Turay, Mahala, James, Noah, Jonah Roberts, Gabe and Zoe Wendt, Angela and Bryan Wells, Maribel, Daniel, Cecilia, Vivian DeRego and Jessica Johnson; sister, Pat Giroux; many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Roger worked at the Anaconda Aluminum Company in Columbia Falls, and was in the first machinist apprenticeship program. He was also a gunsmith, working alongside Les Bauska at Les’ Gun Shop. He was one of the first members of the Creston Volunteer Fire Department. After his retirement, he and Donna traveled the country in their motorhome, spending summers managing the Elks campground in Kalispell. Roger made many friends in his travels.

He lived life to the fullest, always had a gleam in his eye, happy and having a good time whatever he did. He had many spontaneous adventures, including whale watching, rafting, side trips to ghost towns and other out of the way places; he always had one more thing to do or one more place to show you.

God, Donna, family and friends were important to him; he wanted everyone to be happy. He was very generous, kind, thoughtful and soft hearted. Friends were always welcome, day or night. He was loved by all who knew him.

Over the years Roger hosted many parties, including ice skating parties at his Creston home on the ice rink he made for his children, sprinkling water every night until it was perfect, to gatherings at the Elks or Moose club. Roger held family and friends together. We will carry on that tradition by having a memorial service and party in the summer.

Friends are encouraged to visit the website www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials on his behalf can be sent to Shodair Children’s Hospital, 2755 Colonial Dr., Helena, MT 59601; or Habitat for Humanity, 2535 Hwy. 93 S., Kalispell, MT 59907.