Wendell Wayne Roehrs, 90, passed away on Thursday, July 16, at Arrowhead Senior Living in Osage Beach.
Wendell was born on March 17, 1936, in Alma, Missouri to Hulda and Emil Roehrs. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church and later was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Warrenton, Missouri. Wendell was a standout basketball and track athlete as a teenager. After high school, he left Alma to attend the University of Missouri to pursue a degree in education. He was a lifetime supporter of Mizzou and would go on to receive both a master’s and specialist degree from the university as well as completing the course work for a doctorate.
On September 1, 1956 he married his beloved wife, Mary Ann Mueller, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Alma and they lived in Columbia until Wendell received his Bachelor of Arts degree. During those years, their twin daughters, Robin & Jane, were born. He accepted his first teaching job in Warrenton in 1958 where he and Mary had their third daughter, Linda. He remained at Warren Co R-3 for 35 years until his retirement in 1993. During those years he served as a teacher, counselor, high school principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent.
After his retirement, Wendell worked for the Nike Outlet Store in Warrenton where he delighted in reconnecting with former students and faculty from the school and he also acquired an impressive collection of Nike sneakers. Wendell never lost his zest for sports and competition, playing golf, tennis and running in the Senior Olympics well into his retirement. He was an avid reader of newspapers and magazines, making him a formidable opponent at trivia games. He loved to travel and photograph nature and landscapes. Many memorable trips, including a safari to Africa, gave him the opportunity to capture many beautiful images. A lifelong birder, he was expert at bird identification and passionate in seeking new species for his life list.
In 2013, Wendell and Mary relocated to their home at Lake of the Ozarks. They moved to Arrowhead Senior Living in 2020.
Wendell was a devoted husband, loving father, proud grandfather and loyal friend. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mary, as well as daughters Robin (Jeff) Fleck of Farmington Hills Michigan, Jane (Mark) Bindbeutel of Troy Michigan and Linda (Layton) Burkhardt of Osage Beach Missouri. In addition, he is survived by his grandchildren Amy Bindbeutel, John Bindbeutel, Stephen Bindbeutel, and Kate (David) Burkhardt Paquette and numerous nieces and nephews.
Private services will be held with burial at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Alma.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Daniel Boone Retired Teachers & School Personnel Scholarship Fund (c/o Guy Schreck, 309 Richmond Drive, Warrenton, MO 63383).
Arrangements are under the direction of Hedges-Scott-Millard Funeral Homes, in Osage Beach.
