Wendell Wadsworth

Wendell Lee Wadsworth passed away in Coeur D’ Alene, Idaho on February 19, 2022 at 70 years old. He was born in Coldwater, Michigan on November 7, 1951 to Ralph and Irene Wadsworth. He was the youngest of 5 children and the only boy. After graduating high school at Union City High in 1969, he obtained his associates in Technical Illustration and a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising from Ferris State. He joined the Air Force in 1975 stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base where he earned the rank of Sergeant E-6. He later joined the Army National Guard in Laramie, WY in 1988.  He served in the Army National Guard and Army National Reserve until retirement. 

Wendell is survived by his sister, Mae Louise Brimmer of Michigan and his three children; Michelle Lawless, Josh Wadsworth and Krissy Mantei. He leaves behind eight beautiful grandkids, six boys and two girls, ranging in age from 22 years old to 8 months old.

Wendell loved the outdoors. He spent a lot of time taking his children camping, boating and hiking when they were younger. Fond memories of ice fishing, snowshoeing, bike rides, building miniature rockets to launch, making parade floats and teaching his children tactical skills. In his later years, he enjoyed looking for wildlife, fishing and painting. He was very artistic and passed that ability onto his kids in many different ways. 

He will be remembered as a loving father who loved the Beach Boys, Flight of the Navigator and his famous words of endearment to his kids to “be good”.

A burial with Honors will take place at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake, WA on Monday, April 11 at 1:00pm.