Wendel Strong

Wendel J. Strong, 70, of Lenexa, Kansas passed away on May 4, 2014, following a long and courageous battle with cancer. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the renovation of the sanctuary Steinway at CCN, 2020 East Sheridan, Olathe, KS 66062.
Wendel was born September 19, 1943 in Springdale, OH to Wright and Orena Strong. His childhood was spent in southwestern Ohio, until the family relocated to Hutchinson, KS in 1960. Wendel graduated from Hutchinson High School with the class of 1961, and attended Hutchinson Community Junior College while working for Dillon's Bakery.
On June 7, 1963 Wendel was united in marriage to Norma Gibbs at First Church of the Nazarene in Hutchinson. During his employment with Dillon's, Wendel and Norma moved to Lawrence, KS for a brief time, returning to Hutchinson in 1967 where they remained for the next 20 years while raising their family. Wendel's employment with Dillon's continued until 1972, when he accepted a management position with Doskocil Sausage Company in South Hutchinson. Wendel remained with Doskocil's for the next 14 years where he was active in the growth of the organization, serving as president as Doskocil's transitioned from a small private meat plant to a publically-owned company.
In January of 1988, Wendel and Norma relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona where he was owner of Apex Janitorial Supplies in Mesa, Arizona. In 1996, Wendel returned to the meat industry, accepting a position as national accounts sales manager for a division of Hormel Foods Corporation. He retired from that position in 2006. Restless in retirement, the always industrious Wendel, together with Norma, daughter Jami, and son-in-law Luke Johnson embarked upon a brand new venture: launching a family business. Wendel's Specialty Breads was started in 2010, utilizing Wendel's own bread formulas to build an opportunity for us to work together to build a lasting family enterprise.
Wendel was a member of College Church of the Nazarene in Olathe, Kansas where he enjoyed singing in the choir for as long as he was able. Wendel enjoyed wood-working, often designing and creating timeless pieces for his family. He loved food preparation, golf, fishing, planning family vacations and he had a special knack for creating innovative solutions to enhance the livability of our homes. Custom closet designs, along with kitchen/pantry and garage organization were some of his specialties. He and Norma were both happiest while hosting, traveling with, or visiting their children and grandchildren. Wendel's most significant legacy, however, is the consistent example he set before his family of an unshakable faith in God's love and provision, together with a stalwart commitment to hard work, and a deep and abiding love for his family.
Wendel is survived by his wife, Norma; children, Jami and her husband, Luke Johnson of Victoria, MN, son, Mike and his wife Rebecca of Loveland, OH, son Matt and his wife Tracey of Olathe, KS; grandchildren, Alison Brummett, Bennett Johnson, Kate Johnson, Jacob Strong, Emily Strong, Hannah Strong, Amanda Strong, Blake Strong and Tyler Strong, and brother, Jerry Strong of Blue Springs, MO.

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