Wendell Vernon Ortloff was born June 29, 1927 in Sanders Township, Pennington County, MN the son of Andrew Louis and Florence Wilemiena (Rux) Ortloff. He was baptized on the 6th day of November 1927 by Henry Pope and confirmed at the Mission Church, St. Hilaire, MN. He attended Rux School in Sanders Township.

Wendell was united in marriage to Lucille Florence (Anderson) Niemela, June 15, 1978 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN. They made their home on a farm in Sanders Township, Pennington County. Through the years, Wendell farmed and worked out. His last job was for Concrete Inc. where he retired from in 1995 after 16 years of service.

He enjoyed hunting, woodwork and music. Wendell played with several area bands over the years.

Wendell served on the Sanders Township Board for 22 years.

Survivors include step-children, Arlene (Ed) Jagol, Thief River Falls, MN, Steven Niemela, Blaine, MN, Ken (Deb) Niemela, Thief River Falls, MN and Nancy (Leonard) Olson, Middle River, MN; ten step-grandchildren, Jon Jagol, Jodi (Rob) Wolfe, Jeremy Jagol, Scott (Sandy) Niemela, Kevin (Kari) Niemela, Stephanie (Kyle) Rischer, Alia Niemela, Sara Niemela, Kyle Niemela and Eric (Lyzette) Olson; eleven step-great grandchildren: Jesse and Jordan Jagol, Emily and Courtney Niemela, Whitney and Shayla Niemela, and Colton, Kylie and Alyssa Rischer; Emma Rene Wolfe and Easton Olson; and one sister, Norma (Don) Paro, Salem, OR; two sisters-in-law, Grace Ortloff, Thief River Falls, MN and Marlene Ortloff, St. Hilaire, MN and several nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by wife, Lucille on April 28, 2002; parents; sisters, Irene Anderson and Esther Myhrer; brothers, Elroy, Raymond, Robert, and Kenneth; niece, Laurel Myhrer and nephew, Roger Anderson.