Lila Wendel

Our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, Lila Nelson Wendel, 90 wonderful years, passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2013 at the Montebello in Albuquerque, NM. She was born on March 6, 1923 in Granger, UT a daughter of Clifford Alvin and Elizabeth Lillie Rupp Park Shafer. Lila married Wilford Norgal Wendel in Salt Lake City, UT and the marriage was later solemnized in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple. He preceded her in death on March 9, 1960. She was a life-long member of the LDS Church where she served in many capacities and especially enjoyed her relationship with children in the Primary Program. Lila worked many years for the Federal Government including the Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) at Intermountain School and retired at the BIA Police Academy in Albuquerque, NM in 1984. Lila was a World War II veteran who proudly served in the United States Marine Corps as a Sergeant. An avid sports fan, Lila could frequently be found cheering at Box Elder High school games, keeping score at baseball games and watching the Utah Jazz on TV. Her love of life was contagious and her happiest hours were spent with her family and many friends. Lila is survived by her two sons, Phil Nelson of Albuquerque, NM and Clifford (Bernadette) Wendel of Abingdon, MD. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, seven brothers and sisters and her best friend "Buster" the Cocker Spaniel. The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to the wonderful staff at The Montebello in Albuquerque and to the excellent care provided by Presbyterian Hospice in Lila's final days. Graveside services with Military Honors will be held on Friday, March 29, 2013, 11:00 a.m., at the Brigham City Cemetery in Utah.