Ivalea Wendlandt

Ivalea Good Fleming Wendlandt, passed away peacefully and gracefully, surrounded by her loving family on January 13, 2016, just two days before her 82nd birthday.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 18 at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, Vernon Center with Rev. Jason Kern officiating. Visitation will be held from 1-5 p.m. Sunday with a 4:30 p.m. vigil service at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Burial will be at St. Matthew’s Catholic Cemetery, Vernon Center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to the charity of your choice.

Ivalea was born January 15, 1934, in Mankato to Edmund and Beulah (Butson) Good. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend of the community, and caring neighbor. She was also a proud farmer, farm activist, co-founder of Wendlandt Greenhouse, faithful member of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, nurse’s aide, and hospice volunteer.

Ivalea lived for her family. She also had a deep love for the land and all living creatures. After losing her husband, Jim Fleming in 1967, she farmed and worked while keeping her family of nine children strong. In 1971, she married Tony Wendlandt and three more children were added to the family. The two of them farmed and built their greenhouse business together. Along with her high octane cooking, she will be remembered by all for her love of family, her strong Christian faith, her creative and adventurous spirit, her curiosity, her sense of humor, her willpower, and her capacity to live joyfully and gratefully throughout all of her life’s journey. She grew many gardens in her lifetime, the most treasured of all being her children and children’s children. She will be deeply missed, and her light will continue to shine through all those who had the blessing and privilege to love her and be loved by her.

Ivalea is survived by her husband, Gene “Tony”; eleven sons and daughters, Debbie (Barry) Richards, Bill (Mary) Fleming, Bob (Vicky) Fleming, Mary Jo (Steve) Lechner, Dan Fleming, Nancy Graham, Julie Fleming, Lynn (Matt) Demuth, Jenni (Brad) Haug, Krissy (Brad) Bauer, and Jon (Doreen) Wendlandt; twenty nine grandchildren, Gary, Paul, James, Kara, Shanna, Alissa, Olivia, Joy, James, Arianna, Leah, Jessica, Adam, Michael, Connor, Jason, Justin, Victoria, Julia, Taden, Nate, Ashtin, Matheus, Aunyah, Braydon, Camdyn, Jaymis, Bryce, and Blake; twelve great-grandchildren, Riley, Steven, Sharayah, Lincoln, Solomon, Everen, Kya, Devin, Udeme, Idongesit, Alexander, and Chase; one sister, Sharry Leslie; two brothers, Tom (Annette) Good and Tim (Judy) Good; and many nieces and nephews.

Ivalea was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Jim Fleming; son, David Fleming; granddaughters, Sarah Fleming and Rebecca Wendlandt; grandson, Steven Richards, all of whom she now joins in heaven.