Rose Louise Wendler

Rose Louise Wendler, 94, of Dixon, passed away on Friday, August 18, 2023, at Heritage Square in Dixon, IL. A visitation for Rose will be held from 1 to 2 p.m., on Monday, October 23, 2023, at the Homestead Church, Homestead, Iowa. A celebration of life will follow visitation at 2:00 p.m., on Monday, October 23, 2023, with Elder Peter Hoehnle officiating. Inurnment will be at the Homestead Cemetery, Homestead.

Memorial gifts in honor of Rose Wendler may be sent to the First Presbyterian Church, 110 E. 3rd Street, Dixon, IL 61021, and The Amana Church Society, PO Box 103, Middle Amana, IA 52307.

Rose was born, August 15, 1929, in Homestead, IA, the daughter of William and Susanna (Kaiser) Ehrle. She attended Amana Public Schools and graduated from Amana High School in 1947. Rose received a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts degree from the University of Iowa in 1951, majoring in sociology and education with minors in English, history, and business. After graduation, she accepted a high school teaching position in Atalissa, IA, followed by a similar position at the high school in Middle Amana, IA. She married Harold Philip Wendler on June 18, 1950, in the Homestead Church in Homestead, IA. Rose and Hal were both active members of the Amana Church and the Amana Society. In 1953 they moved to Springfield, IL where Rose accepted a position with the Department of Public Instruction, in the office for special education. In 1956 they moved to Dixon where she worked part-time tutoring home-bound students and substitute teaching. In 1968 Rose became a faculty member in the English Department at Dixon High School, which continued until her retirement in June 1985. During that time, she earned a Master of Science in Education degree from Northern Illinois University.

Rose was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Dixon and also continued her lifelong membership with the Amana Church. For twelve years, she served on the Board of Trustees of the Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital in Dixon. In 1968 she became a charter member of Chapter KM, PEO Sisterhood, where she served as President and in several other leadership positions through the years. Rose also held memberships in the American Association of University Women and the American Federation of Doll Clubs. In retirement, she became a member of the Phidian Art Club and the Lee-Ogle Retired Teacher's Organization. In addition, she served on the Board of the Sauk Valley Community Concert Association, as well as the Dixon School Educational Endowment Committee. At their winter home in Stonebridge Country Club, Naples, FL, Rose was active in the book club, the art group, several bridge groups, and their community’s social events.

Rose was well-traveled and enjoyed her many adventures. She enjoyed flowers, painting, entertaining, and collecting dolls. She deeply loved her family and friends.

Rose is survived by her loving husband of 73 years, Harold Wendler; three children, Sheri (Jed) Miller, of Shoreline, WA, Lori (Bob) Hartnett, of Lincolnshire, IL, Alan (Linda) Wendler, of Carlsbad, CA; five grandchildren, Rachael (Aalok) Shah, of Lincoln, NE, Lani (Tony) Salazar, of Austin, TX, Daniel Wendler, of Austin, TX, Aron (Katie) Miller, of Bellingham, WA, Dana (Ryan) Carbonneau, of Lincolnshire, IL; two great-grandchildren, Evan and Nolan Shah; and one brother, Roy (Averyle) Ehrle, of West Des Moines, IA.

Rose was preceded in death by her parents, William and Susanna Ehrle.