Obituary of Wendell C. L. Lundberg

Wendell C.L. Lundberg, 83, of Lindsborg passed away Friday, January 19, 2024 at Salina Regional Health Center. Wendell was born December 15, 1940 in McPherson, to the late Raymond L. and Maud E. (Andes) Lundberg. Wendell grew up on a farm until his family relocated in Lindsborg, where he attended Lindsborg public schools. He was active in athletic programs from junior high through high school, a strong, serious, reliable team player. After graduating from Lindsborg Rural High School in 1958 he attended Bethany College where he excelled as a pitcher in the college baseball program. Wendell also played baseball in a non-college league in his younger years, something akin to "minor leagues" in central KS. He was fond of quoting a sports journalist, saying with a big smile that he pitched a baseball so fast, “I could throw a strawberry through a locomotive.” Wendell was once scheduled to pitch against the legendary Robert "Satchel" Paige, but the famous Hall of Famer was indisposed that day. He also played football in high school and at Bethany. Wendell followed his favorite professional and college teams throughout his life, and could be an observant, critical Monday morning quarterback. After completing school, he worked for many years as an airport lineman at McPherson Airport, and at CertainTeed, McPherson. A life-long bachelor, Wendell believed there was no meal, gourmet or otherwise, that could not be improved by using Ranch dressing. There was no point in attempting to dissuade him. He was also an inveterate Kansas Lottery player. Although he lost his shirt, he talked about how he would split a big win with his relatives, especially his nieces. Wendell had a fine bass voice and enjoyed singing in the Messiah Chorus in his younger years. He sometimes shared songs with friends with perfect tune and text recall, and phoned friends on their birthdays to wish them a happy birthday with his own peppy version of the birthday song. He valued friends and family and communicated with them often throughout his life. Wendell was often ready with a smile or a laugh, but thought deeply about matters of the spirit, always willing to share with others his views of spiritual experience. He combined those serious beliefs, which he could discuss at length, with a sense of humor and enjoyed a good joke and entertaining turn of phrase. Many of Wendell’s friends thought he was "one of a kind." Wendell is survived by his nieces Debbie Lundberg Myers and her husband Jay Myers, of Lindsborg; Linda (Sissy) Lundberg and her wife, Karen Lyons, of Wells; Amy Verdon of Chicago, IL; and his brother-in-law Roger Verdon, Lindsborg, as well as numerous extended family members and many, many friends. Wendell is preceded in death by his parents; brother: Lloyd Lundberg and his wife Georgana, and his sister Norma Lyn (Lundberg) Verdon. Cremation has been chosen and the family will have a celebration or life at a later date.