Richard 'Rick' Wendling

RICHARD "RICK" D. WENDLING

Independence

Richard "Rick" D. Wendling, 48, of Independence, Iowa, died Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, at UnityPoint-St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Rick was born Jan. 20, 1973, in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of Louis C. and Shirley L. (Ferreter) Wendling. He was a 1991 graduate of Independence High School, and obtained a associate's degree in agri studies from Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids. On Aug. 9, 2002, he married Lisa Marie Black in Independence. He was superintendent of the Secondary Roads Department in Buchanan County for 26 years. Rick also was involved in the community serving on the Buchanan County Fair Board, and coaching and officiating many youth events for many years. He was also an avid fisherman, hunter and enjoyed golfing.

He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Lisa, Independence; three children, Karter, Sawyer and JorgieRae, all of Independence; his parents, Louis and Shirley Wendling, Independence; and two sisters, Kayleen Hornbrook, Ankeny, Iowa, and Barbara Wendling, Independence, Iowa.

Rick was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph (Little Joey) Wendling; and his mother-in-law, Pamela Black.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, at St. John's Catholic Church, Independence, with the Rev. David Beckman officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Reiff Family Center in Independence, Iowa.

To leave an online condolence, please go to www.reifffamilycenter.com under obituaries.