Bernard Wendricks

MADISON- Bernard "Bernie" aka "Sarge" John Julian Wendricks, born 1/6/1937 passed away 1/20/17, just days after his 80th birthday, at home, with his beloved wife Jane by his side, such a lucky man. He taught his 2 daughters, Lori and Lynette, that "When things get tough for everyone else, it's just right for a Wendricks." His engineering ways and Dr. Orest Kostylena kept him going for years when things got "just right for a Wendricks." Finally, bladder cancer told him it was time to go. He was a man of few words and those words never complained, but often included a pun. He never said an unkind work about anyone. He was also a man of great style, his own. Bernie was an airplane mechanic in the Air Force 1955-59. He's a UW grad, class of 1969. Bernie was a civil engineer for Madison for 30 years and retired as the Assistant City Engineer in 1999. When you drive around Madison and see the rain fall from the sky and flow to the lakes, think of Bernie. He likely had a hand in designing the culvert, holding pond, or drainage system that got it there. He also designed the roads that lead to West Towne Mall, 46 years ago. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Madison. In his retirement, he chaired the Fishing Has No Boundaries, Madison Chapter for many years. He was with the organization from the beginning, 23 years ago and was considered "the rock" that kept it going. It's a wonderful organization that gives people with disabilities the chance to go fishing. His many fishing trips to Canada with good friends were annual highlights for him. He loved to fish, play cards, bowl, garden, watch football, and spend time with his family and friends.

He will be missed by his surviving family members, wife Jane (De Young); daughters Lori (Joe) Wendricks House, and Lynette (Mike) Wendricks Rosen; his brothers, David (Lorene) Wendricks, Tony (Diana) Wendricks, and Nelson (Carol) Wendricks; Grandchildren, Alice, Jackie, & Charlie House; Jack, Keil, & Sam Rosen. He is now with those who preceded him in death, his parents, Alice and Nelson Wendricks of Forestville, WI; and his sister Celia Lemens of Madison.

A Memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Wed. Jan. 25, 2017 at FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 203 Wisconsin Avenue, Madison. Visitation will be held from 4:00PM - 7:00 PM on Tue. Jan. 24,2017 at Cress Funeral Home , 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, and also on Wed., Jan. 24, from 1:00 PM until the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Fishing Has No Boundaries, 1618 Mayfield Lane, Madison, WI 53704; Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network at bcan.org; or American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org.


Cress
Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
608-238-3434