Edwin David "Ed" Wendt, Jr., 70, beloved husband, father, grandfather and "Uncle Eddie", passed away unexpectedly at his home in Malden on February 6, 2015. Graveside funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday February 12, 2015 at the Rosalia IOOF Cemetery.

Ed was born on August 1, 1944 in Seattle, Washington to Edwin & Verna (Hintz) Wendt. He was raised in Wilkeson and Enumclaw, graduating from Enumclaw High School1962. He married Laurelyn Williams on October 23, 1964 in Enumclaw. He worked at the Wilkeson Sandstone Quarry while attending night classes for welding. Ed worked for Manson Marine construction overseeing dredging, pile driving and dock work. He finished his career at Lonestar Cement Co. He was a lifetime member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local #612. His enjoyment was going fishing and hunting with his best friend Bill Sherwood and remodeling over 12 houses with his wife Laurelyn.

Ed took early retirement at age 52 after 25 years as an operating engineer and three weeks later was admitted for emergency heart surgery, undergoing a quadruple bypass. At the time, his doctors gave him a very dismal prognosis. Ed rejected their assessments and went on to live a full and rewarding life for the next 18 years – besting the doctor's estimate by more than 13 years.

In 1992 Ed and Laurelyn moved to Malden, Washington to be closer to family. Once settled in Malden, Ed worked for the McGregor Company, J.L. Love Company, the city of Rosalia and a custodian at the Rosalia school. When he wasn't working Ed enjoyed doing Yard Sales and always tinkering on a project of some sort in his garage. In the winter the fire was always going. Outside the garage hung a sign that read "Eddie's Central Service" and was always available to help anyone who might need his help and guidance. The most important thing to Ed was his family and he was particularly proud of his five grandchildren – Kyle, Celena, Jacob, Kaileigh and Erik. He enjoyed taking them fishing, working on projects with them in his garage, and spending as much time as he could with them.

Ed will be terribly missed for his genuine, caring nature but his spirit will live on through his wife Laurelyn at the family home in Malden; son James (Anita) Wendt of Malden and daughter Angie Scott of Colfax; his grandchildren Kyle Wendt, Kaileigh Wendt, Celena Scott, Jacob Scott, and Erik Scott; sisters Nancy Montague, Phyllis Wendt and Pat Haulet all of Malden and Sally Hughes of Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Arlene Montague.

Memorial contributions in Ed's honor are suggested to the Rosalia/Whitman County District 7 Fire Department, PO Box 291, Rosalia, Wash. 99170. Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.