James Douglas 'Doug' Wendt, 89

Doug passed away March 3, 2017.

He was born on the family farm Aug. 3, 1927, to Otto Richard and Kathleen Marie Wendt in the Fairview community of Flathead County. He was the first of four children and attended Fairview School and graduated from Flathead County High School in 1947. Upon graduation from high school he worked at the Equity Supply Creamery for several years before joining his parents in running the family farm and dairy. He eventually took over the farm upon the retirement of his parents.

Beyond the family farm, Doug had several passions in life, airplanes, jazz music and the theater. He was able to pursue his passions especially later in life after retiring and selling the farm. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of aircraft and traveled all over the world attending air shows. He was a frequent attendee at many local jazz establishments, especially the Kalispell Eagles Club and Lounge. A couple favorite performers were Jack Waller and Patrice from “La Nota.”

He enjoyed doing all these things with his companions in life. Joyce Lawlor was his companion for 15 years, until her death in 2002. She had introduced to Doug the Lawlor Family, Tim, Theresa, Tom, Sabra and Ryan to name a few, all of whom had loved and remained very close to him. Later, Joyce Workman and Doug spent many years together, attending the high school basketball and volleyball games, Bigfork theater, jazz and many dinners. Beckie Housel then became his best friend and continued to go to these events for many years. He was able to continue going too many air shows, air races, not to mention the many WWII aircrafts he flew in, the theater in Bigfork, Missoula and Spokane. Doug’s passion was mesmerizing. Doug also became very close to his dear friend Judie Cossette, they spent a great deal of precious time together. She drove, while he told old farm stories about the areas where he grew up. He became very close to Doug and Jennifer Cossette, Chad and Sheri Lawlor and their five children Maddy, Cade, Brabyn, Mason and Logan who considered him grandpa all their lives. During the last two years of Doug’s life he lived with his closest friends and caretakers Jesse and Beckie Housel. He was a very happy man and his life was fulfilled in every way.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents Otto and Kathleen, and his sister Mary Margaret Nickol.

He is survived by his brother Norman Edward and wife Patricia Ann of Whitefish, sister Kathy and husband Larry Crandall of Washington and numerous nieces and nephews, and his loving caretaker family Jesse and Beckie Housel of Kalispell.

There will be a Mass of Christian burial held for Doug at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Kalispell, with burial to follow services at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.