Thomas (Tom) L. Wendte

Thomas (Tom) Wendte, 61 of Newcastle passed away Sunday, May 24, 2009 at a Sioux City hospital.Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 10:30 A.M. at Salem Lutheran Church in Ponca, Nebraska with Rev. Dr. Neal Anthony officiating. Visitation will begin at the Mohr Funeral Home in Ponca, Nebraska on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 3:00 P.M. with the family present at 6:00 P.M. and a prayer service at 7:00 P.M.Tom was born to Lyle and Mildred (Olander) Wendte on November 14, 1947. He was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church in Ponca. He graduated from Newcastle in 1965. He went to barber school in Sioux City following graduation.He worked in the barber shop in Newcastle before moving to Fairbanks, Alaska in 1967. His first job in Fairbanks was at the Fort Wainwright Army Base where he cut hair. He also worked on the Alaskan Pipeline at Prudo Bay. He then opened his own barber shop, the Shear Shack, in Fairbanks. He was in Alaska for 28 years, before returning to Newcastle in 1994, where he ran the barber shop and worked at Lyle's Bar.He married Becky Anderson in 1970 and from this marriage he had one son, Shane Thomas Wendte.Tom loved the outdoors and spent much of his free time at his cabin at the river. His family treasures his stories from his time spent in Alaska. Living in Alaska was one of the highlights of his life. He was so proud of his son, Shane, and that he has continued to make his home in Alaska.Survivors include his son, Shane and special friend, Lori of Anchorage, Alaska; his parents, Lyle and Mildred Wendte of Newcastle, Nebraska; six siblings, Sheryn Asher of Austin, Texas, Peggy and husband, Dave Anderson and David and wife Julee Wendte, all of Ponca, Nebraska, Pam and husband, Kevin Johnson of Sioux Falls, SD, Kevin Wendte of Sheldon, Iowa and Cindy and husband Gregg Doeden of Phoenix, Arizona; eleven nieces and nephews.Tom was preceded in death by his grandparents and two brothers-in-law.