Harold Wendorff

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Funeral services for Harold J. Wendorff, 85, of Albert Lea, will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Church of St. Theodore. The Rev. Jim Berning and Deacon Mike Ellis will officiate. Burial will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by the Freeborn County servicemens organization. Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the services at the church.
Harold died on Saturday, July 19, at Thorne Crest Retirement Center.
Harold Joseph Wendorff was born on Jan. 29, 1923, in Fairfax, the son of Adolph and Anne (Biebl) Wendorff. He attended and graduated from Holy Trinity High School, New Ulm, in 1942. Harold enlisted in the USMC serving his country for three years. After his discharge he was drafted by the St. Louis Browns as a pitcher for one year. In 1947, Harold purchased his first restaurant and bar in Gaylord. Harold met and married Beverly Raabe on Nov. 24, 1948, in Gaylord. In 1957 the couple moved to Austin, where he purchased the Brown Derby. They then moved to Albert Lea in 1965 where Harold purchased and operated the Aragon Bar until his retirement. Harold’s No. 1 priority in his life was his wife and raising his children and being involved in their lives. He enjoyed all types of sports and was a Twins ticket agent while in Austin. He enjoyed dancing and was always social with the many people he came in contact with over the years. Harold was a member of St. Theodore Catholic Church, the VFW and American Legion, the Elks and Knights of Columbus.
Survivors include his children: Rose Mary (Greg) Andersen, Mariann (Ron Banse) Miller, Paul (Barb) Wendorff, Richard (Debra) Wendorff, James (Stephanie) Wendorff and Janet (Ahmad) Haidar; grandchildren: Matt, Kristen and Katey Andersen, Derek (Carrie Lewis) Miller, Devon Miller, Michael (Katie) Wendorff, Shandra and Robyn Wendorff, Holly (Joel) Zimmermann, Jacob (Alyssa) and Amanda Wendorff, Jill (Ryan) Heasley, Anne, Jenna Wenforff and fiancé Joe Herzog, James and Brooke Wendorff and Jamilee, Noah, and Jasmine Haidar; nine great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Shirley Triggs; and several nieces and nephews.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Beverly; son, Bradley; great-granddaughter, Cheyenne Rose Andersen; brother Wallace Wendorff; and sister, Joann and husband Dean Bronson.