Wendell I. Grandstrom

SIOUX CITY -- Wendell I. Granstrom, 82, of Sioux City passed away Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010, at his residence.

Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at Morningside Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Kevin Lee officiating. The body was cremated. Burial will be at a later date in Brule Creek Cemetery near Spink, S.D. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Wendell was born May 11, 1928, in Big Springs Township, S.D. He was the son of Hugo and Edith (Heeren) Granstrom. Wendell grew up in South Dakota near Akron, Iowa, attended country school and graduated from Akron (IA) High School.

He married Kathryn Burris with whom he had seven children. He married Marilyn Smith in 1971, and later married Bernice Kuhlmann in 1998 in South Sioux City. Wendell farmed in South Dakota for many years. In 1959, he began working for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad and retired in 1989.

He attended Morningside Lutheran Church. He was an avid accordion player. Wendell enjoyed fishing, bowling, horse racing and carpentry.

Survivors include his wife, Bernice of Sioux City; seven children, Edith "Susie" Knecht of Dakota Dunes, S.D., Terry Granstrom and his wife, Karen of Paso Robles, Calif., Timothy Granstrom of Dakota Dunes, Thomas Granstrom and his wife, Sherry of Torrance, Calif., Wendy Blum and her husband, Steve of Dakota Dunes, Todd Granstrom and Troy Granstrom, both of Gardena, Calif.; two stepchildren, Wayne Kuhlmann and his wife, Linda of Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Byron Kuhlmann and his wife, June of Ralston, Neb.; a sister, Arlis Ostlund and her husband, Robert of Auburn, Wash.; 11 grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 14 great-stepgrandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Milo Granstrom; and a stepson, Beryl Kuhlmann.

Pallbearers will be the grandchildren and stepgrandchildren.