Melvin J. Wendland, age 91, passed away on Thursday, February 16, 2023, in Shawano. He was born on August 26, 1931, to the late Rev. John and Mildred (Hoffmeister) Wendland, in McIntosh, South Dakota. Melvin graduated Valley City High School in North Dakota. After, high school, he joined the National Guard serving from 1950 until 1959. On September 26, 1953, he was united in marriage to Betty Buss, at Friedens Lutheran Church, in Bonduel, by his father Rev. John Wendland. Melvin was very involved in his community. He was a member of the Bonduel Lions and served on the Bonduel Village Board for many years, serving from 1967 until 1989 and again from 1999 until 2009, he then served as Board President from 2009 until 2015. Melvin was a faithful and active member at Friedens Lutheran Church where he served on the church board and taught Sunday School. His hobbies included golfing, bowling, deer hunting, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers.

Melvin is survived by his wife, Betty; his children John (Charlene) Wendland, Jeff (Leslie) Wendland, Joyce (Randy) Brienen, and Jerry (Corrine) Wendland; his grandchildren, Matt, Jenny, Tyler, Lane, Lucas, Abbie, Brooke, Catie, Kelly, Kevin, Jay, Logan and Alec; his great-grandchildren, Lola, Emily, Carter, Ellison, Gibson, Sawyer, Fischer, Claire, Brice, Brody, Braelynne, and Bryant; his siblings, Delores Jahnke, Miriam Schultz and Rev. Luther (Maureen) Wendland; and sister-in-law, Ginny (Dick) Bryer. He is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Melvin is preceded in death by: his parents, siblings, Rev. Robert Wendland and Eunice Plieseis: brothers-in-law, Neil Jahnke, Romain Schultz, Vern Hinz, and Harvey Buss; and sisters-in-law, Sally Buss and Violet Hinz.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday February 25, 2023, at 11:00 am at Friedens Lutheran Church, with Rev. David Ticks officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 am until the time of service. Inurnment will be in Friedens Lutheran Cemetery in the spring.