---

A Funeral Service is Monday, July 25, 2011 at 11 a.m. at American Lutheran Church in Long Prairie for Dr. Wendell C. Moberg D.V.M., age 87, of Long Prairie who passed away Tuesday, July 19 at his residence. Pastor William Bakewicz officiate. Friends and family may call from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 24 and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday at the church.

Arrangements are entrusted with the Williams Dingmann, Stein Chapel in Long Prairie.

Wendell was born to Alpha and Evert Moberg Oct. 14. 1923 in Taylors Falls, MN.

The family was homesteading near Blackduck, MN and Alpha was a country school teacher, with Evert taking care of older sister Bette and Wendell. Evert also did some farming and assessing for real estate taxes.

In 1925 the family moved back to Taylors Falls where Evert took a job at Standard Bank.

Wendell was a natural with animals and won many ribbons at the State Fair through 4-H and the Dalles 4-H Club. In 1941 he graduated from high school Valedictorian of his class of 20. In the fall of 1942 he entered the U of M and was taking chemical engineering. He went out for the hockey program and lettered during winter quarter.

He entered the army in April 1943 and volunteered for the airborne. During his service he fought in the Battle of the Bulge and the worlds largest airborne/glider assault in the crossing of the Rhine River into the German heartland. The Division sustained over 50 percent casualties. During his service he received 4 battle stars and a bronze arrowhead. The war In Europe was nearly over and he shipped home on the Queen Mary and marched in the GI Joe Parade in New York City.

After study in Veterinary Medicine at the U of M in St. Paul he became a veterinarian, married Judith Mae Nelson and had two sons, before moving to Long Prairie. Wendell and Mae settled In Long Prairie in 1953 and raised six children over the next 25 years; his life was busy. He practiced veterinary medicine for 47 years. In Long Prairie he was involved in scouting and hockey and was the impetus for formal hockey in the school system. The family enjoyed many camping trips from Canada to Washington state with Wendell at the wheel. In later years the family spent their free time at the family cabin on Cass Lake. Over the years smelt fishing, deer hunting, and camping were priorities for him and the family. Wendell had many injuries and medical problems which led to a loss of mobility over the years which eventually led to his failing health.

Wendell enjoyed life and family. He had a generous and adventuresome nature. He was always well read and could talk politics or sports with anyone who would fall prey. Memorial Day held a special place for him. He was a member of the Taylors Falls American Legion/VFW color guard for 62 years. He also enjoyed celebrating our nations birthday at Cass Lake with gusto.

Wendell is survived by his wife Mae Moberg of Long Prairie; children, Peter (Janice) Moberg of Bemidji, MN, Steven (Joni) Moberg of Bigfork, MN, Andrew (MaryLee) Moberg of Little Falls, MN, Wendy (Joe) Szczepanski of Waconia, MN, Dr. Charles (Shirley) Moberg D.V.M. of Long Prairie, MN, and Bette (Curtis) LaMaack of Blue Earth, MN; sister, Carol Lynn (Don) Lyttle of Taylors Falls, MN; 18 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Betty Nabors.

Casketbearers grandsons, Carl Szczepanski, Bill Szczepanski, Ed Szczepanski, Nelson Moberg, Sander Moberg, Cade Moberg, Dan LaMaack, and Earl LaMaack.

Obituary and guest book available online at: www.williamsding mann.com.

---