Wendell Leno, age 83 of Prior Lake, passed away June 1, 2024, at All Saints Senior Living. A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 11:00 AM with a visitation one-hour prior at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church (3611 North Berens Rd. NW) in Prior Lake. Pastor Mollie Hamre will preside, and Wendell’s grandchildren will act as urn bearers.
On November 27, 1940, Wendell Louis Leno was born in Tuttle, ND. He was born to parents Adam and Elsie (Steinke) Leno and was the fourth of five kids. He grew up on the family farm. They were of German-Russian descent, and as a young boy Wendell would translate for his elders.
During his school years, he was on the football team and played the tuba in the band. Following his high school graduation, Wendell enrolled at NDSU in Fargo. During this time, he met the love of his life, Juanita Meyer. While driving down Broadway Street, Wendell pulled alongside Juanita’s car and started a conversation. Soon after, they began dating.
On October 6, 1962, Wendell and Juanita exchanged wedding vows at Eksjo Lutheran Church of Lake Park, MN. After they were married, Wendell transferred to the University of Minnesota where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Wendell worked many jobs to put himself through school including construction and teaching at Dunwoody Institute. Following his graduation, Wendell started his professional career at NSP as a mechanical engineer and project manager. He designed and oversaw various projects related to local nuclear power plants. He worked for NSP until retiring nearly 30 years later.
During this time, Wendell and Juanita settled in Prior Lake to raise their family. Wendell worked hard to provide a good life for his girls. As a family, they enjoyed annual camping trips with extended family to Mantrap Lake near Park Rapids. They also visited the NSP company campground in Big Lake with their friends. In retirement, he purchased a boat and proudly watched on as his family enjoyed using it in Crosslake on an annual basis.
In his free time, Wendell enjoyed woodworking, playing Bingo and going out to eat with Juanita and his family. He was a skilled carpenter and put lots of love into their home. Over the years he took on major renovation projects around the house on his own. He built decks, a beautiful bar and did all the electrical, plumbing, etc. himself.
Although he had many interests, family was the most important thing in Wendell’s life. Wendell and Juanita spent so much time together and loved being with their girls and the grandkids. Wendell felt a great loss when Juanita died in 2019. He leaned on his faith and family to help him through his loss.
Wendell was very generous, kind and a true family-man. He will be missed by his loving family. Wendell is survived by his daughters: Stephanie (Christopher) Melton, Christine Wallin, Andrea (Mark) Bouressa; granddaughters: Madeline (Andy) Nyren, Olivia (Daniel) Valle, Lila Wallin, Hollie and Elsie Bouressa; great-granddaughter: Luella Nyren; and Stephanie’s bonus daughters: Sarah, Steph, Jamie and their families along with other loving friends and relatives.
He was greeted in Heaven by his loving wife, Juanita Leno; parents, Adam & Elsie Leno; siblings, Manfred Leno, Gerald Leno, Ernest Leno, and Emilie Hoard.
