Wendell Allen Teigland, 88, of Thief River Falls, MN, passed away on Sunday, March 20, 2022, at Thief River Care Center, Thief River Falls, MN.

The funeral service will be at Johnson Funeral Service Chapel in Thief River Falls, MN, on Thursday, March 24, at 2 PM.

Visitation will be at Johnson Funeral Service Chapel, Thief River Falls, MN, one hour before the service.

Burial on the family plot at St. Olaf Cemetery, Grygla, MN, following donation to the University of North Dakota Medical School.

Military honors: Minnesota Army Guard Honor Guard, American Legion Ecklund-Holmstrom Post #117 & Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2793.

Wendell Allen Teigland was born March 15, 1934, in Goodridge, MN, to Allen and Marjorie "Alice" (Stephenson) Teigland. He was baptized at Assembly of God Church, Thief River Falls, and attended Benville School near Grygla, MN. He worked for his dad on the family farm for some years.

Wendell entered the United States Army in 1957 and was Honorably Discharged in January of 1959. Wendell received his basic training at Fort Lewis, WA, serving in France and Germany in the area of transportation during the conflict in Lebanon. Following his discharge, he returned to Thief River Falls and worked for Lee Plumbing for one year before moving to Fargo, ND, where he attended Molar Barber School. As a barber, he worked in Milwaukee, WI, and Wahpeton, ND. Wendell also worked with his brother, Ronnie, on the farm near Grygla.

In 1966, Wendell returned to Thief River Falls, started an apartment rental business, and had 10 apartment rental units. He also went to work for School district 564 as a bus driver and worked at the garage. Wendell worked to get union representation for the bus drivers and was the union steward the whole time he was there. He became the transportation supervisor and set up the route map system still in use today. He had to leave his job due to poor health and was hired to train the new incoming supervisor for his job. Wendell was known as the neighborhood handyman and enjoyed helping on the farm for Bob, Jean and Cole with the big beef cow operation.

On June 6, 1969, Wendell was united in marriage to Audrey Klaven at Assembly of God Church, Thief River Falls. They sold the farm in 1969 and moved to Thief River Falls, where he has been in the apartment business and drove the bus for 12 years until his health failed in 1980.

Wendell was a terrific collector—gathering all kinds of small trinkets, antique things, and anything he thought he would have a use for around the house or the neighbor's house. His passion for helping others was incredible, and he took the time to teach others how to fix what was needed. Wendell enjoyed his Honda Motorcycle, riding it around town. He loved his grandchildren and two special daycare boys—Jonathan and Nik Barry.

Survivors include his daughter, Stephanie Stephenson, Thief River Falls; grandchildren, Jordan, Spencer (Alexys Omdahl), and Jayde Fimrite; sisters, Janice (David) Sheridan, Thief River Falls, MN, Beverly Doss, East Grand Forks, MN, and Sandra Anderson, Thief River Falls; sister-in-law, Irene Teigland, East Grand Forks, MN; special niece, Kim (Scott) Dickman; special nephews, Shane (Donalyn) Teigland, Shawn (Tiffany) Teigland, Corey (Julie) Teigland, and Tim (Ann) Sheridan; and several cousins, nieces, nephews, and all his loving neighbors.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Audrey, father, Allen, mother, Marjorie "Alice"; brothers, Dale, Ronnie, and Gerald; sister, Romona in infancy, sister, Sharon & brother-in-law, John Flom; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.