Charles Wendell Ankeny, 84
Port Townsend, Washington – Compassionate, gentle Rev. Wendell Ankeny passed away Sunday, July 15, 2018. He fought the good fight as health issues kept piling on for several years. We are certain he now rests and resides in the heavenly realm with the God he invited us to model all his life.
Wendell was born in Blue Earth, June 21, 1934, to Lena (Grout) and Charles Clayton Ankeny, now deceased. His older brother, Ronald Wayne (Lois) Ankeny preceded him in death.
In his younger years he helped with the family businesses ranging from produce to bowling alley and roller rink. He served in the Navy, married Betty Scearcy and had four daughters. Wendell then heeded a call to ministry and started college at age 29 at Mankato State.
During that time, he ministered at Bass Lake Community Church and worked as a local radio DJ at KBEW. He founded and directed a day activity center for children with special needs and was named one of Minnesota’s Ten Outstanding Young Men by the Jaycees in 1966. He graduated from Garrett-Evangelical Seminary, Evanston, Illinois while serving two churches in Wisconsin.
The family moved to Champlin, for the next church appointments at Champlin UM and Riverview UM. Wendell and Betty also served as missionaries to Ebenezer Methodist Church in Belize.
Wendell and Betty divorced in 1984 and he later married Laurel Liukkonen. They accepted management of the Ocean Park United Methodist Camp and Retreat Center on the Long Beach Peninsula in Southwest, Washington. In 2000, Wendell accepted a U.M. church appointment and an Elderhostel directorship with Centrum Trinity United Methodist Church, Port Townsend, WA. He served with Habitat for Humanity and was a DJ for radio at KPTZ in Port Townsend.
He continued to be an active member of the United Methodist Church and its community in Port Townsend,Washington. Wendell Ankeny has touched so many lives. He ministered with humor, compassion, Christian principles and love.
Wendell is survived by wife, Laurel Ankeny, daughters, Wanda (Tom) Klietz, Casper, Wyoming, Jody (Dave) Wahl, Becky (Denny) Percy, Lori (Warren) Limmer, all of Maple Grove; stepsons, Chris Fischer, Federal Way, Washington and Keith (Lisa) Lindquist, Bishop, California. He leaves 13 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren plus a niece and nephews, and a multitude of friends.
Wendell’s life was celebrated at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, July 29 at Trinity UMC, 609 Taylor, Port Townsend. A reception followed at the adjacent Community Center. The service was live streamed and archived at the church web site: trinityumcpt.org.
Suggested memorials are: KPTZ Radio, Feed My Starving Children and Operation Christmas Child: Fundraise.SamaritansPurse/OCC/Sisters.