Lois Ann Wendorf

Lois Ann Wendorf (Kruger) passed away at her home on June 2, 2026 after a brief illness.

She was born October 13, 1938 to Fred and Bertha (Olson) Kruger in Hayfield, MN. Lois was baptized and confirmed at First Presbyterian Church in Hayfield. She graduated from Hayfield High School in 1956.

She married Robert (Bob) D. Wendorf on March 29, 1958 at Grace Lutheran Church in Austin, MN. They moved to La Crosse, WI in 1962 and were involved with Lorandale Dairy Farm until 1988 when they moved into La Crosse because of Bob‘s health. Bob passed away October 13, 1996. They were longtime members of Grace Lutheran Church in La Crosse where Lois was involved with choir and Ladies Aid. Lois was employed as an administrative assistant at Family and Children’s Center in La Crosse from 1987 to 2000. She volunteered at Good Steward every Tuesday for many years.

As a mom, Lois taught her kids so much just by setting the example. She showed the benefits of hard work and passion as she and Bob lived their farming dreams on Lorandale Farm. She milked cows twice a day while raising their family, feeding everyone at the table with homemade goodness. Dad was the disciplinarian, but worse than any punishment from dad, was knowing you had disappointed mom. She was calm and loving in any situation. She showed devotion and patience while nursing Bob through many medical struggles, as they eventually gave up that farming dream. And for the 29 years Bob has been gone, Lois has cheered on her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in all their endeavors, excited for every single one.

Lois is survived by five children, Susan (Dennis) Schams of La Crosse, Kent (Anna) Wendorf of Viroqua, WI, Sandra (Gene) Dunnington of Germantown, WI, Sara (Kevin) Stratman of Bangor, WI, and Anita (Lyle) Lindholm of Reedsburg, WI; 14 grandchildren, Dan (Carolyn) Schams, Nick (Lindsey) Schams, and Samantha (Peter) Groth, Chrissy (Jerome) Meyer, Brian (Amber) Wendorf, and Katie (Ian) MacGillivray, Jennifer (Newton) Wheat and Michelle (Jeff) Schubert, Kaitlyn and Joshua Stratman, Robert (Alissa), Caleb (Hannah), Joseph, and Martin Lindholm; also 20 great grandchildren (and one on the way), Grace, Gwen, and Calvin Schams, Keaton, Bennett, Lauren, and Maverick Schams, Robert and Johnathan Groth, Isaiah, Naomi, and Gabriel Wendorf, Norah MacGillivray, Cameron, Carter, and Ava Wheat, Jackson and Jameson Schubert, Sofia Zellmer and Elias Lindholm. She is further survived by one sister Carol Emery of Northfield, MN, sisters-in-law LaVonne Brinkman of Austin, MN and Leah Bork of Onalaska, WI, and brother-in-law Leonard Krupicka of Austin, MN, many nieces and nephews and her special friend Ila Akkerman of Austin, MN. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Phyllis, Bernice and Marion, five brothers-in-law, one sister-in-law, and two great granddaughters, Laurel and Quinn Meyer.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 8, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Grace Lutheran Church, La Crosse. Vicar Caleb Lindholm will officiate. Burial will follow in the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Friends may call at the church on Monday from 9:00 AM until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Luther High School or Grace Lutheran Church in her name.

Her family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Trinie, whose many faithful visits brought immense comfort and joy to Mom in her final years.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness."  

2 Timothy 4:7-8