Rene Ephram Wendell Jr., 81, of Scottsdale passed away peacefully at home on December 24, 2022 after a long battle with dementia. His deep and humble Christian faith brought him strength and comfort and was reflected in the kindness, charity and patience he continually displayed. We will all miss his quiet, easy-going demeanor, his witty sense of humor, and his humble attitude towards the remarkable achievements of his life. This unique combination has earned this blue-eyed gentleman a wide circle of lifelong friends and admirers. was a talented community leader, an adventurous cowboy, and an avid outdoor sportsman. And Rene was an especially good fisherman! Born January 8, 1941 in Evanston, Illinois, the son of the late “Bud” and Levan Larsen his Wendell had died before his older sister Karen L. Wendell. After graduating from Scottsdale High School in 1959, he served in the United States Army National Guard until being honorably discharged in 1965. Following in his father’s footsteps, Rene became a florist whose talent and skills were recognized internationally. For over 60 years he has been a frequent honored florist and event designer, owner of the successful business of Wendell’s Flowers (later he became the Wendell Design Group), and an influential floral industry advocate. was also a person. He was very honored to be invited to share his skills and knowledge as a visiting florist at the White House in Washington DC. Honorable Rene He Wendell was elected to the Scottsdale City Council from 1984 until 1988. He served as Deputy Mayor of Scottsdale in 1986. He achieved the opening of Horseman’s Park (now Westworld), to which Wendell his arena was dedicated in 1987. He also worked tirelessly. He would take the PGA Tour to Scottsdale and move the Phoenix Open Golf his tournament to his TPC in Scottsdale. He continued volunteering throughout his life and has held many community leadership roles in organizations such as Rotary, Cibitan, Boys and Girls Clubs. Rene loved horses and was a “real” cowboy who grew up on a small Scottsdale ranch. Since his family moved to Arizona in his 1951, he has loved exploring the state on horseback on wilderness trails. Rene is a member of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Board and a hash knife for the Navajo County Sheriff’s Board He is a Pony was doing. Combining his community spirit with his love of horses, he was proud to be the Charo of Scottsdale. Rene especially looked forward to the Charro Trail Rides each year. As an accomplished jockey, Rene was a multi-year gymkhana champion, and in 1989 Charo was honored as the top his cowboy. Combining his artistic skills with his love of horses and cowboys, Rene designed and sculpted a Western-themed bronze sculpture entitled “Takin.” A Break’ was featured in his one of Scottsdale’s finest art his galleries. Rene married Ellen her racer her Wendell in 1963 and they happily raised their three children together until Ellen died of cancer in 1987. He is loved by his daughter Cheryl his Lee her Eckhart and her husband David her Eckhart, his son Troy her Allen Wendell, her daughter Andrea her Renee her Jung and her husband I’m here. John John. The Wendell family tree grew with the arrival of grandchildren Chase Eckhart, Emily Eckhart, Mason Eckhart, Riley Jung and Peyton Jung, later joined by great-grandchildren Cayden, Kane, Avery, Peyton, Corbin and Parker. . Rene is also fondly remembered for his second wife, Anne Brown, and his son Kevin He Brown, with whom Rene had a special friendship. In 2002, Rene married his devoted wife, best friend and business partner Linda Plather, who married Wendell and is loved by her children. Courtemanche, and Deborah Adams Murray and Her Children, Robert “Bobby” Murray, IV, Phineas “Finn” Murray, and Margaret “Maggie” Murray. The meeting will take place on Friday, January 6, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at his Messenger’s Mortuary, 7601 Indian School Road, Scottsdale, Arizona. His funeral will be held on Saturday, January 7, at 10:00 am at the Valley Presbyterian Church of Dr. E. Macdonald, Paradise Valley, Arizona 6947. Rene is buried in his Acre Cemetery in Greene, Scottsdale. The Wendell family celebrates Rene with beautiful flower arrangements from Rene’s colleagues in the flower industry. If you would like to add to your family’s flower selection, please call Fred’s Flowers at (480) 897-3733.