Wendell Lowell Rawlings, 77 of Spearfish, passed away at the David M Dorsett Healthcare Center in Spearfish on Wednesday, January 21, 2014.
Wendell was born to Cecil and Mildred Rawlings on October 8, 1936, near the small farming community of Archer, Nebraska.
He spent most of his childhood on the farm; it was there that his strong work ethic and morals were established. He married the love of his life, Joyce Whitener, on October 11, 1957 and their marriage was strong for over 56 years. Wendell graduated from Central City High School in Central City, NE in 1954. He then pursued a career as a lab technician in the healthcare field, wherein he received his Associates Degree. Wendell quickly moved from lab technician to administration.
In 1965, Wendell and his family moved to Spearfish SD, where he took on the responsibilities as the administrator of Lookout Memorial Hospital, a position he held for the next 22 years. After Spearfish, Wendell and Joyce moved to Lisbon, ND and then Red Lodge, MT where he was the administrator of their healthcare facilities.
Wendell loved to live, and enjoyed a rich a full life. He retired at the early age of 55 so that he and Joyce could enjoy their time.
They immediately moved back to Black Hills and spent the next 15 years exploring America in their RV. He was an avid fisherman and cross country skier, and spent much of his time in the outdoors.
He also took up woodcarving and began creating beautiful carvings of waterfowl, which were displayed in local galleries.
Wendell was a good man, a good husband, and a wonderful father. His family was everything to him. His good and gentle nature made him liked by all that came in contact with him.
In his last years Wendell suffered from Alzheimer's. Much of the time he was back on his childhood farm where his upbringing had shaped the man he was to become. Yet he never forgot Joyce. She was his shining star. They had the type of love that defines the word. He passed peacefully with his family at his side. He will be greatly missed.
His parents, Cecil and Mildred, and two brothers, Jack and Lowell, preceded him in death.
Wendell was born to Cecil and Mildred Rawlings on October 8, 1936, near the small farming community of Archer, Nebraska.
He spent most of his childhood on the farm; it was there that his strong work ethic and morals were established. He married the love of his life, Joyce Whitener, on October 11, 1957 and their marriage was strong for over 56 years. Wendell graduated from Central City High School in Central City, NE in 1954. He then pursued a career as a lab technician in the healthcare field, wherein he received his Associates Degree. Wendell quickly moved from lab technician to administration.
In 1965, Wendell and his family moved to Spearfish SD, where he took on the responsibilities as the administrator of Lookout Memorial Hospital, a position he held for the next 22 years. After Spearfish, Wendell and Joyce moved to Lisbon, ND and then Red Lodge, MT where he was the administrator of their healthcare facilities.
Wendell loved to live, and enjoyed a rich a full life. He retired at the early age of 55 so that he and Joyce could enjoy their time.
They immediately moved back to Black Hills and spent the next 15 years exploring America in their RV. He was an avid fisherman and cross country skier, and spent much of his time in the outdoors.
He also took up woodcarving and began creating beautiful carvings of waterfowl, which were displayed in local galleries.
Wendell was a good man, a good husband, and a wonderful father. His family was everything to him. His good and gentle nature made him liked by all that came in contact with him.
In his last years Wendell suffered from Alzheimer's. Much of the time he was back on his childhood farm where his upbringing had shaped the man he was to become. Yet he never forgot Joyce. She was his shining star. They had the type of love that defines the word. He passed peacefully with his family at his side. He will be greatly missed.
His parents, Cecil and Mildred, and two brothers, Jack and Lowell, preceded him in death.
Wendell Lowell Rawlings, 77 of Spearfish, passed away at the David M Dorsett Healthcare Center in Spearfish on Wednesday, January 21, 2014.
Wendell was born to Cecil and Mildred Rawlings on October 8, 1936, near the small farming community of Archer, Nebraska.
He spent most of his childhood on the farm; it was there that his strong work ethic and morals were established. He married the love of his life, Joyce Whitener, on October 11, 1957 and their marriage was strong for over 56 years. Wendell graduated from Central City High School in Central City, NE in 1954. He then pursued a career as a lab technician in the healthcare field, wherein he received his Associates Degree. Wendell quickly moved from lab technician to administration.
In 1965, Wendell and his family moved to Spearfish SD, where he took on the responsibilities as the administrator of Lookout Memorial Hospital, a position he held for the next 22 years. After Spearfish, Wendell and Joyce moved to Lisbon, ND and then Red Lodge, MT where he was the administrator of their healthcare facilities.
Wendell loved to live, and enjoyed a rich a full life. He retired at the early age of 55 so that he and Joyce could enjoy their time.
They immediately moved back to Black Hills and spent the next 15 years exploring America in their RV. He was an avid fisherman and cross country skier, and spent much of his time in the outdoors.
He also took up woodcarving and began creating beautiful carvings of waterfowl, which were displayed in local galleries.
Wendell was a good man, a good husband, and a wonderful father. His family was everything to him. His good and gentle nature made him liked by all that came in contact with him.
In his last years Wendell suffered from Alzheimer's. Much of the time he was back on his childhood farm where his upbringing had shaped the man he was to become. Yet he never forgot Joyce. She was his shining star. They had the type of love that defines the word. He passed peacefully with his family at his side. He will be greatly missed.
His parents, Cecil and Mildred, and two brothers, Jack and Lowell, preceded him in death.
Wendell was born to Cecil and Mildred Rawlings on October 8, 1936, near the small farming community of Archer, Nebraska.
He spent most of his childhood on the farm; it was there that his strong work ethic and morals were established. He married the love of his life, Joyce Whitener, on October 11, 1957 and their marriage was strong for over 56 years. Wendell graduated from Central City High School in Central City, NE in 1954. He then pursued a career as a lab technician in the healthcare field, wherein he received his Associates Degree. Wendell quickly moved from lab technician to administration.
In 1965, Wendell and his family moved to Spearfish SD, where he took on the responsibilities as the administrator of Lookout Memorial Hospital, a position he held for the next 22 years. After Spearfish, Wendell and Joyce moved to Lisbon, ND and then Red Lodge, MT where he was the administrator of their healthcare facilities.
Wendell loved to live, and enjoyed a rich a full life. He retired at the early age of 55 so that he and Joyce could enjoy their time.
They immediately moved back to Black Hills and spent the next 15 years exploring America in their RV. He was an avid fisherman and cross country skier, and spent much of his time in the outdoors.
He also took up woodcarving and began creating beautiful carvings of waterfowl, which were displayed in local galleries.
Wendell was a good man, a good husband, and a wonderful father. His family was everything to him. His good and gentle nature made him liked by all that came in contact with him.
In his last years Wendell suffered from Alzheimer's. Much of the time he was back on his childhood farm where his upbringing had shaped the man he was to become. Yet he never forgot Joyce. She was his shining star. They had the type of love that defines the word. He passed peacefully with his family at his side. He will be greatly missed.
His parents, Cecil and Mildred, and two brothers, Jack and Lowell, preceded him in death.
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