Mary Jane Wendel, former resident of Santa Barbara, passed away on August 21,2023 after a brief illness. She was 86 years old.

Mary was an elementary school teacher and district librarian for the Goleta Union School District for nearly 30 years. She and her husband Frederick R. Wendel moved to Lander, Wyoming, upon his retirement from the SBSO in November 1989.

Mary was proceeded in death by her parents, brother, sister, two brothers-in-law, a niece, a daughter-in-law, and her beloved husband of 62 years.

Mary is survived by four children Kim, Kirk, Brett and Jud (TJ); nine grandchildren; two great grandchildren; sister-in law Marion Kirbey; and nine nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Sept. 25 at the United Methodist Church in Lander.

Funeral arrangements were made by Hudson’s funeral home in Lander. The full obituary and on-line condolence book are available on their website.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lander branch of the Fremont County Library System or to United Methodist Women of Lander, WY.