Wendelin Schoendaller, 94, Hays, died Friday, January 24, 2020 at HaysMed.
He was born November 25, 1925 in Liebenthal, Kansas, the son of Andrew and Margaret (Pfeifer) Schoendaller. He graduated from Liebenthal High School and was a Sergeant Major in the United States Army, serving as a medic during World War II and serving in Korea prior to the Korean War.
On June 24, 1947 he was united in marriage to Linda Younger in Hays, and they celebrated over 51 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on February 12, 1999. Wendelin worked for Maska Construction for 32 years, for Jack Curtis doing repair work on rental properties for 15 years, and continued to remain busy and was self-employed until he fully retired at the age of 89.
He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the St. Joseph Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #1325, the Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, and the Hays VFW Post #9076. He was very proud and honored to be on the 2018 Kansas Honor Flight and place a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Wendelin devotedly prayed the rosary and enjoyed going to Hays Meal Site daily and he was a craftsman who enjoyed woodworking, making cedar chests for each of his granddaughters. He volunteered at the Community Assistance Center, St. Joseph Catholic Church as an usher and cleaning the church, and helped with K of C Bingo.
Survivors include three sons; Wendelin Schoendaller, Jr. and wife Sharon of Walker, Leonard Schoendaller and wife Joan of Colorado Springs, CO, and Patrick Schoendaller and wife Cindy of Salina, 11 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, one great-great grandson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife; Linda, four brothers; Julius, Frank, Adam, and Wendelin Schoendaller and three sisters; Felicita Schoendaller, Melesdin Groff, and Mary Younker.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with Fr. Brian Lager officiating. Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Monday and 9:00 am until 9:45 on Tuesday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. The Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor guard from 5:30 pm until 6:30 on Monday. A parish vigil service will be at 6:30 pm followed by a combined Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus rosary, all on Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Knights of Columbus Council #1325 or the Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. Condolences and memories of Wendelin may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com