July 2024

Dorothy Ann Wendlandt was born on September 4, 1932, in Fairfax. Dorothy was the fifth born out of the six children Herman and Frieda (Habeck) Kiecker had together. Dorothy was baptized as an infant, received her education at the Lutheran school and later confirmed in her faith at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Wellington Township of Fairfax. On April 22, 1954, Dorothy was united in marriage to Kenneth Wendlandt at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Penn Township. This marriage was blessed with two children, Brian and LuAnn. Kenneth and Dorothy first lived in Fairfax before making their home in Hutchinson in 1958. They shared 64 years of marriage together. Dorothy has been a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson since 1958. She has been active in the church with many different groups and committees over the years. Dorothy worked a short time at Christian Produce in Hutchinson and then a short time at Green Giant in Glencoe. She eventually found her career at Telex in Glencoe. She retired in 1998 from Telex after 33 years. After retirement, she worked very part-time at Cash Wise in Hutchison for a few years. Dorothy enjoyed life to the fullest, from every family function to outings with friends, she was there. She enjoyed camping trips, fishing, gardening, traveling, so many card games, quilting, sewing, casino trips, family gatherings, and Sunday night family suppers. She and Kenneth traveled a couple times to Canada, took many trips together within the United States, they wintered in Arizona a few times visiting their daughter and granddaughter. Dorothy also had made a few trips to Sanibel Island, Fla., with Brian, Jen and Justin where she loved shelling the beaches, fishing, eating fresh seafood and having island ice cream. Dorothy will be remembered by each of us in our own way as we all had a connection with her. She was such a strong and independent person. She always had good advice to give, always gave a warm smile and always had a contagious laugh to share.