Carole B. Wendlandt

Tuesday, March 10, 2015 6:22 pm

Carole B. Wendlandt, 78, of Mabel, Minn., a former elementary school teacher, died Sunday, March 8, 2015, at the Gundersen Hospital in La Crosse, Wis. Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 13, at the Stavanger Lutheran Church in rural Ossian, with Irmgard and Rev. Wayne Ellingson officiating. Burial is in the Stavanger Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel, and one hour prior to services at the church.

Carole Bertha (Tangen) Wendlandt was born Nov. 16, 1936, in Winneshiek County, the daughter of Otto and Elsie (Tinderholt) Tangen. She was confirmed at Decorah Lutheran Church. Carole attended rural elementary school in Canoe Township, Decorah. She graduated from Decorah High School in 1955, and went on to attend Luther College for a two-year elementary degree, finishing her Bachelor of Arts degree at Winona College while teaching in Mabel, Minn. Her teaching career began in Mabel and continued until retiring in 1992. Carole was united in marriage to Donald Wendlandt in Dec. 1960, at Stavanger Lutheran Church, in Ossian. She was a very active member of Stavanger Lutheran, holding various offices such as WELCA president; she served on the mission and stewardship committee, taught Sunday School, and mentored young people in the congregation. For many years Carole and Don enjoyed welcoming exchange students from Mexico and the area surrounding Mabel into their home, forming life-long relationships.

Carole is survived by sisters-in-law, Ruth (Thomas) Schultz of La Crosse, Wis., and Linda Ender of Tenn.; brother-in-law Carl Wendlandt of Pa.; sister-in-law Norma Wendlandt of Texas; brother-in-law Gary Hastings of Neb.; several cousins; three godchildren: Amy Lage of Postville, Jon Young of Decorah and Stacy Vollands of Scotland; and her wonderful family from Mexico.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Donald.