Lila K. Wendelboe

Lila Katherine (Nulle) Wendelboe was born on June 22nd, 1938 to Harry and Leona (Struve) Nulle, the third of four children. She grew up with her brothers and sister on a farm in the Manning, Iowa area. She graduated from Westside High School in 1956, and moved to Prescott Arizona to help her older sister Marlene, with her new baby, Lila’s first nephew. She later moved to Kansas City, MO to work for TWA in bookings. Lila loved to tell funny stories about her time with her roommates in Kansas City, especially the one about how her roommate insisted that she go on a blind, double date with her, and when the men arrived, Lila decided she would only go if she was with the blond, curly-haired service man with the blue eyes. That service man was Terry Wendelboe, and they got to know each other and fell in love. They dated long-distance for a time, and in 1960, Lila moved to Moses Lake, WA to get married. They wed in a simple, private ceremony on August 20, 1960 with both their parents present. In May of 1961, they welcomed a son, Bradley Daryl. The family moved for a short time to South Dakota, to farm near Terry’s family. When Terry made a career change to lab technician, the family moved to Minneapolis, MN for his schooling. They lived for a time in Elkhart, Kansas, before moving to Gunnison CO. Lila so loved her time in the mountains, and she always joked that they had to drag her away, leaving heel marks in Monarch Pass when the family moved to Spirit Lake, Iowa in 1968. In July of 1970, Lila and Terry welcomed a daughter (and Bradley welcomed a little sister), Amy Kathryn. In 1977, the family moved to Ida Grove. They lived there for eleven years, and she and Terry became interested in antiques there. Lila worked as an office manager for a roofing and then a road construction office. In 1988, Lila and her family returned to Spirit Lake, IA. She spent the remainder of her career managing the office of Bill Eich Construction, until her retirement in 2003. Lila loved her children and grandchildren immensely, often dedicating her time to care for each grandchild when they were little. She will be remembered fondly by all her children and grandchildren as a loving Mama and Gma. Beloved memories include boating, and watching Disney movies and English comedies with her grandchildren, enjoying and critiquing the various Jane Austen-novel adaptations with her daughter, or hearty, late-night discussions with her son. Lila cared deeply about people, and was a fierce advocate for the young people with whom she worked, with many of them referring to her as “mom” over the years. She was a great listener and always gave good advice. She knew her family history and shared many stories from her childhood with her children. Lila was a life-long lover of dogs, and she had rescued many loyal companions over the years, with the latest being Murray, who stole her heart when she adopted him two years ago. Lila passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, and Murray, at Lakes Regional Healthcare on Wednesday, July 13th, 2022. Lila was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Terry Wendelboe, her older brother, Merlin Nulle, her older sister, Marlene (Nulle) Joens, her nephews Brent Joens and Kevin Nulle, sister’s-in-law Alta Nulle and Linda Nulle, and two brothers-in-law, Paul Folkerts and Lyle Vosika. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Bradley (Angela) Wendelboe, Amy (Wendelboe) Gathercole, her grandchildren, Kendra Wendelboe, Tabitha (Ethan) Beatty, Zachary Wendelboe, Samuel Gathercole, and Sage Gathercole, her brother, Bill Nulle, brother-in-law, Bob Joens, sisters-in-law, Sharon Vosika and Cynthia Folkerts, several nieces, nephews, and grands, and her loyal companion, Murray. A celebration of life for both Terry and Lila will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the shelter house in Memorial Park in Spirit Lake. The family wants you to free to come as go as you please. Arrangements are under the direction of the Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be left at www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com

Lila K. Wendelboe

June 22, 1938 - July 13, 2022