Donald Nathanael Wendel

Donald Nathanael Wendel, born May 21, 1929 a second generation Norwegian Swede, at Hinsdale Sanitarium, to Nathanael and Anna Johanna Wendel  (Of WENDEL’S Sheet Metal Works, 1st street  in Hinsdale IL circ. 1906+) passed on June 28th, with family at his side.

Don grew up in Hinsdale and continued on to the GM Institute, now Kettering University, completing his masters in Industrial Engineering.  Serving in the Navy during the Korean War, and then joining the Army in order to be part of the White Sands Project.

He worked briefly for General Motors,Electromotive Division (hatching a life long love of trains) and then on to Quaker Oats: beginning with the plant in Cedar Rapids Iowa and then transferring to Chicago’s Merchandise Mart. He loved his  Quaker job and the people he worked with, retiring in 1985.

Up into their 70’s, Don and his wife Ruth remained very active together, hatching seeming impossible plans: kicking off their retirement by bicycling  across America at 55 years of age, Chicago to St. Louis a few times, as well as through Europe multiple times (just to name a few). Hiking 150 miles of the Appalachian trail in their 60’s and back packing numerous mountain ranges with Boy Scouts.  Both Don and Ruth loved helping people: they were scout leaders to many troops, volunteering for two years with MMAPS in the 1980’s and participating in 36 Habitat for Humanity builds nationally and internationally. During 12 years of his retirement, while living in Arkansas in the log cabin he and Ruth had built together, Don had a ‘business’, he called  BENT NAIL.  He was willing to try and fix anything, not charging for any of it, rather, receiving garden vegetables for his services. He loved live Opera and fancied himself a big band drummer. His creativity really shone through his photography, lapidary, silver work and woodcarving.

Don’s Viking spirit energized him to the end: challenging himself to be the last known surviving member of his 1948 High school graduating class.  

As a participant in a few Church men’s groups, he attended in person until driving was no longer an option. The fact that “can’t” was NOT in his vocabulary, he found his way around ZOOM and took great joy in  having contact with people,  calling contemporaries as well as younger friends frequently, often on a daily basis.

I will miss his daily hearing aide function test..” How far to the moon?”- a reminder to remain curious, and open to a world full of wonders  and to “Do the very best you can, where you are, with what you’ve got”

Preceded in death by Ruth (Riggs)his wife of 57 years (2016) and a son, Russell (2022),

Don leaves behind his brother, John (Grace) Wendel; Three daughters: Barb, Sally and Amy. Two Sons : Gary and Nathan, 11 Grandchildren and 15 Great Grandchildren.

Sharing of Life, memories and stories: September 13, 2025 at 10:30 am at Hinsdale covenant church, 412 S Garfield St, Hinsdale IL

Don requested memorial gifts be made to NPR (WBEZ Chicago) and the Morton Arboretum, Lisle Illinois

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