Wendell “Sonny” Meyer of Spring Valley, Minn., 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, of natural causes, at his daughter’s home in Sargent, Minn.
Wendell Herbert Meyer was born September 9, 1931, on the family farm near Spring Valley to Herbert and Gaynol (Bauer) Meyer. He was the second of six children and attended country school graduating from the eighth grade and going to work on the family farm. Wendell enjoyed going to the outdoor movie theater and working at the roller rink in Spring Valley, where he met the “love” of his life, Betty Lou (Ostendorf) Halstead. They were married on April 6, 1952, and made their home in the Spring Valley area where Wendell continued to farm. He worked on the Iron Range up north and at the Ried, Murdoch canning factory in Rochester, later called Libby’s. He was employed at Libby’s and then Seneca for many years up to the age of 87, only stopping because Seneca closed their doors. In 1959 Wendell and Betty bought a farm in Rock Dell Township, where he was a dairy and crop farmer and Betty was a farm wife and homemaker. That is where they raised their seven children. They attended Sunday services at East St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Rock Dell as a family. In 1979 they moved back to Spring Valley and returned to the First English Lutheran Church that Wendell helped build with his dad and other church volunteers. Mrs. Meyer died on July 27, 2000.
Wendell has continued to live in Spring Valley, where he stayed busy farming his mom’s farm, hauled manure for Spring Valley Sales Barn, and was seasonally employed with the city of Spring Valley plowing roads, and at the All-American Co-op in Stewartville. Wendell and Betty enjoyed having card parties, dancing at the Pla-mor, Turp, Taopi and Bixby Ballrooms. He also enjoyed taking his children fishing when they were young. He enjoyed playing cards at the VFW in Spring Valley and at Diamond Jo’s, Treasure Island or at the boat. He liked parades, horse pulls, fireworks, pot lucks and up to the end of his life, you might find him playing HuckleyBuck or Aggravations with his children, grandchildren, even great-grandchildren! In fact, he would talk anyone that visited him into playing a game or two.
Wendell will be remembered for his strong values, hard work, stubbornness and his love for God, land, and family. Wendell was an AVID farm worker who often helped neighbors and lived to work his land with his CASE tractors. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Wendell is survived by four daughters: Vicky (Carl) Mancilman of Pine Island, Jacque (Roger) Nelson of Sargeant, Michelle “Shelly” Howard (Randy Haackenson) of Preston, and Melissa (Kevin) Lund of Spring Valley; two sons, Wendell “Gene” (Danell) of Byron, and Steven of Kasson; 23 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren and 2 step great-great grandchildren; his sister Gloria (Donnie) Richardson of Brownsdale, brother Merlin Meyer of Spring Valley, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty, Daughters Kim Morris and Infant Rhonda Jo and Infant son Patrick, two grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, his parents, brother Loren Meyer, and sisters Norma Westphal and Phyllis Hendrickson.
A time of visitation for family and friends was held from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, June 30, 2025, at Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. Burial and a committal service took place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in the East St. Olaf Cemetery in Rock Dell. Arrangements were with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Wendell are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com.
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