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Eulogy
Wendell was born in Logan, Utah, the 4th child of Henry H.& Theresa S. Rawlings. He was raised on the Henry Rawlings farm in Fairview, Franklin County, Idaho. Wendell’s greatest challenge in life was overcoming a speech impediment that initially manifested itself in the 5thgrade while attended Elementary School in Fairview. Though it’s hard to understand why Wendell was burdened with this trial, his children have surmised that his struggle with speech was at least partly initiated when a dear friend and cousin unexpectedly died. Though Wendell never verbalized the association, chronologically the events coincide and on occasion, throughout his life, Wendell would mention how difficult the passing of Clell Rawlings was on him. After Elementary School Wendell attended Junior High in Preston, Idaho and graduated from Preston High School in 1939.
This obstacle of speech prevented Wendell from achieving some of his desires. Wendell was at the eligible age to serve his country during World War II but was unable because of his disability. This troubled him deeply for years after the war for he loved his country and would have done anything to have been able to serve.
The impediment did not prohibit Wendell from serving the Lord. Wendell was called to and served in the Southern States mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS church) where he spent a considerable amount of time in Florida. After his LDS mission he worked on the family farm and attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. His father, Henry, demonstrated his love for Wendell by encouraging him to attend school and ensuring arrangements were made. Wendell’s determination to conquer his weakness solidified his decision to major in Speech Therapy. Over the course of the next several years, Wendell intermingled schooling and farm work and eventually obtained a degree in Speech Therapy with a minor in Spanish.
While at Brigham Young University, Wendell developed some close friends, including Ray Wiser, who introduced him to Muriel Wiser (Ray’s sister-in-law who had lost her husband, Milton Wiser, to cancer). Muriel was raising a five year old son (Lorin) and was working as a switch board operator in Lewiston, Utah. Muriel was dating other men but soon determined through fasting and prayer that Wendell was the one for her. When asked by Wendell to marry him, on the Salt Lake City Temple grounds during the summer of 1954, she readily accepted. Wendell and Muriel were married in the Salt Lake City temple, October 1954.
Muriel was a great inspiration to Wendell. Muriel’s love and confidence in Wendell expedited his progress in overcoming his speech difficulties. Wendell’s transformation was so successful that many he came to know never suspected he had ever struggled with communication. His ability to face and overcome this encumbrance is truly a tribute to him and his determination, a trait that he’d inherited from his progenitors.
Over the course of the next 5 years, Wendell and Muriel added to their family three additional sons (David, Ervin and LeGrand). During this period Wendell also served as a Bishop for the LDS Church in the Fairview Ward.
Wendell supported his family as an elementary school teacher. In 1963, Wendell’s occupation took him and his family to Salt Lake City, Cottonwood Heights area, where they made many good memories. In 1969 Wendell moved his family back to Fairview, Idaho where he resumed teaching school at Franklin Elementary. A few years later he purchased his father’s farm and concluded his teaching career.
After returning to Fairview, Wendell and Muriel adopted a baby girl (Camille). She brought much joy to the family and it was a special time in their lives.
Wendell was a hard worker. During the spring, summer and fall, Wendell labored on the farm. In the winter months, when he could have somewhat relaxed, he and Muriel worked in the Logan temple. In 1978, Wendell, Muriel and their two youngest children, moved to North Logan as Wendell’s son, David, took a more active role on the farm. However, the move did not immediately remove Wendell from the farm. Wendell commuted to the farm for several years thereafter, helping David lift the heavy work load.
In 1987 Wendell, Muriel and their daughter, Camille, moved to Salt Lake City where Wendell and Muriel served as workers in the Salt Lake City Temple. In the years to follow, Wendell and Muriel served two Temple missions: Denver, Colorado and Washington DC.
At the age of 87, Wendell’s health had deteriorated to the point where family assistance was necessary. His children worked together to move him and Muriel to Highlands Ranch, Colorado. A house located next door to Ervin and his family was available so Wendell and Muriel purchased the home and soon were where help could be provided when necessary.
Wendell’s health continued to degrade to where he required full time assistance. He lived his last two years at Sunshine Terrace in Logan Utah with Muriel located at the Williamsburg facility, next door. These living arrangements allowed Muriel to spend much of her day with Wendell, supporting him with the love he so well deserved.
All of Wendell and Muriel sons served missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Wendell loved the Temple and devoted much of his life to its service.
Wendell is survived by his wife Muriel, children: David W.(Tamara) Rawlings, Logan, Utah; Ervin J.(Amiee) Rawlings, Highlands Ranch, Colorado; LeGrand J.(Karen) Rawlings, American Fork, Utah, Camille R.(Tony) Hekking, West Valley City, Utah, daughter-in-law: Analee Carlin Wiser, 18 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Surviving Siblings: Edith R. Barlow Hyer, Gladys R. Lemmon, Janet R. Fullmer, Ruth Tonia R. Hobson, Richard S. Rawlings, Henry H. Rawlings, Jr.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Henry H. Rawlings & Theresa S. Rawlings, infant sister Phyllis Rawlings, brother’s Glen S. Rawlings and Ben E. Rawlings, son Lorin M. Wiser and 3 grandchildren, Amelia C. Wiser, Aaron M. Wiser, and Adam G. Rawlings.
This obstacle of speech prevented Wendell from achieving some of his desires. Wendell was at the eligible age to serve his country during World War II but was unable because of his disability. This troubled him deeply for years after the war for he loved his country and would have done anything to have been able to serve.
The impediment did not prohibit Wendell from serving the Lord. Wendell was called to and served in the Southern States mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS church) where he spent a considerable amount of time in Florida. After his LDS mission he worked on the family farm and attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. His father, Henry, demonstrated his love for Wendell by encouraging him to attend school and ensuring arrangements were made. Wendell’s determination to conquer his weakness solidified his decision to major in Speech Therapy. Over the course of the next several years, Wendell intermingled schooling and farm work and eventually obtained a degree in Speech Therapy with a minor in Spanish.
While at Brigham Young University, Wendell developed some close friends, including Ray Wiser, who introduced him to Muriel Wiser (Ray’s sister-in-law who had lost her husband, Milton Wiser, to cancer). Muriel was raising a five year old son (Lorin) and was working as a switch board operator in Lewiston, Utah. Muriel was dating other men but soon determined through fasting and prayer that Wendell was the one for her. When asked by Wendell to marry him, on the Salt Lake City Temple grounds during the summer of 1954, she readily accepted. Wendell and Muriel were married in the Salt Lake City temple, October 1954.
Muriel was a great inspiration to Wendell. Muriel’s love and confidence in Wendell expedited his progress in overcoming his speech difficulties. Wendell’s transformation was so successful that many he came to know never suspected he had ever struggled with communication. His ability to face and overcome this encumbrance is truly a tribute to him and his determination, a trait that he’d inherited from his progenitors.
Over the course of the next 5 years, Wendell and Muriel added to their family three additional sons (David, Ervin and LeGrand). During this period Wendell also served as a Bishop for the LDS Church in the Fairview Ward.
Wendell supported his family as an elementary school teacher. In 1963, Wendell’s occupation took him and his family to Salt Lake City, Cottonwood Heights area, where they made many good memories. In 1969 Wendell moved his family back to Fairview, Idaho where he resumed teaching school at Franklin Elementary. A few years later he purchased his father’s farm and concluded his teaching career.
After returning to Fairview, Wendell and Muriel adopted a baby girl (Camille). She brought much joy to the family and it was a special time in their lives.
Wendell was a hard worker. During the spring, summer and fall, Wendell labored on the farm. In the winter months, when he could have somewhat relaxed, he and Muriel worked in the Logan temple. In 1978, Wendell, Muriel and their two youngest children, moved to North Logan as Wendell’s son, David, took a more active role on the farm. However, the move did not immediately remove Wendell from the farm. Wendell commuted to the farm for several years thereafter, helping David lift the heavy work load.
In 1987 Wendell, Muriel and their daughter, Camille, moved to Salt Lake City where Wendell and Muriel served as workers in the Salt Lake City Temple. In the years to follow, Wendell and Muriel served two Temple missions: Denver, Colorado and Washington DC.
At the age of 87, Wendell’s health had deteriorated to the point where family assistance was necessary. His children worked together to move him and Muriel to Highlands Ranch, Colorado. A house located next door to Ervin and his family was available so Wendell and Muriel purchased the home and soon were where help could be provided when necessary.
Wendell’s health continued to degrade to where he required full time assistance. He lived his last two years at Sunshine Terrace in Logan Utah with Muriel located at the Williamsburg facility, next door. These living arrangements allowed Muriel to spend much of her day with Wendell, supporting him with the love he so well deserved.
All of Wendell and Muriel sons served missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Wendell loved the Temple and devoted much of his life to its service.
Wendell is survived by his wife Muriel, children: David W.(Tamara) Rawlings, Logan, Utah; Ervin J.(Amiee) Rawlings, Highlands Ranch, Colorado; LeGrand J.(Karen) Rawlings, American Fork, Utah, Camille R.(Tony) Hekking, West Valley City, Utah, daughter-in-law: Analee Carlin Wiser, 18 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Surviving Siblings: Edith R. Barlow Hyer, Gladys R. Lemmon, Janet R. Fullmer, Ruth Tonia R. Hobson, Richard S. Rawlings, Henry H. Rawlings, Jr.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Henry H. Rawlings & Theresa S. Rawlings, infant sister Phyllis Rawlings, brother’s Glen S. Rawlings and Ben E. Rawlings, son Lorin M. Wiser and 3 grandchildren, Amelia C. Wiser, Aaron M. Wiser, and Adam G. Rawlings.
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