Wendell Carlyle Rolf, youngest son of Carl and Letha (Turner) Rolf, was born February 26, 1941 in the family’s home near Westboro, Missouri. He passed Saturday evening, January 7, 2023 in his home surrounded by his loving family.

Wendell graduated from Tarkio High School in 1959. He attended Midland College in Fremont, Nebraska and Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri to earn his Bachelor of Science in Education degree. He went on to receive his Master’s in Secondary Administration from Northwest Missouri State University in 1971. He lived in North Kansas City, Missouri and taught math at Northgate Junior High in Kansas City for 11 years. In the summer of 1968, he met his future wife, Joyce, at the Tarkio Rodeo. They were married at Community Christian Church in Kansas City on June 14, 1969. Wendell and Joyce returned to Atchison County in 1974 when Wendell’s father, Carl, was ready to retire. Wendell lived and farmed with his beloved wife on the family farm until he passed.

Wendell loved his community and church. He served on the Fairfax Community Hospital board for many years and was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Westboro. As members of St. John’s, Wendell and Joyce thoroughly enjoyed Couples Club and taking Luther League groups boating. Wendell served both as a church deacon and member of the St. John’s cemetery board. He also enjoyed sharing time and laughter with the St. John’s bowling league. When not actively farming, he enjoyed riding around in the gator or on the four wheeler. Wendell’s greatest joy was watching his children and grandchildren excel in their academic achievements and extracurricular activities.

Wendell was preceded into eternity by his parents, Carl and Letha Rolf; his older brother, Wayne Rolf; and twin infant sons. Surviving him are his wife, Joyce Rolf; three children, Michael (Cindy) Rolf, Melissa Rolf (Tony Zarybnicky), and Jennifer Rolf; three grandchildren, Ella, Tessa, and Benjamin Rolf; sister, Mary (Rolf) Yocom; sister-in-law, Patricia Rolf; and multiple nieces, nephews, and friends.

Throughout Wendell’s battle with leukemia, he often commented that he had led a good, fulfilling life. He sympathized with young children battling cancer and annually supported St. Jude Children’s Hospital. For this reason, the family would like memorials to be contributed to St. Jude’s.

Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M., Thursday, January 12, 2023, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Westboro.

Open visitation begins 9:00 A.M., Wednesday, January 11, Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio, Missouri, where the family will receive friends from 6:00-7:00 P.M.

Interment: St. John’s Cemetery, Westboro.

Memorials: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Arrangements: Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.

www.minterfuneralchapels.com