Wendell Lee Frankenbach, Palmyra, (1934-1991)

Wendell Frankenbach was an outstanding dairy and grain farmer and a community leader. He was active in state agriculture and dairy programs as well as community programs. His career was cut short by a fatal farm tractor accident when he was 56 years old.

Wendell was born December 10, 1934. His parents were Nadine and Edwin Frankenbach, Guernsey cattle breeders, of West Ely, Mo. He attended Immanuel Lutheran School, West Ely, and graduated from Monroe City High School. He served in the U.S. Army two years where he was the Chaplain’s Assistant and company organist.

He started dairying at an early age and from carrying his single cream can on the back of his tractor to meet the route driver he built a Guernsey herd of over 100 herd. He, with the help of his family, operated a 640-acre farm where com, soybeans and forages were produced. As a dairyman his role models were R.D. Pennewell, and his uncle, Carl Frankenbach, both prominent breeders of registered Guernseys.

In April 1963 Wendell and Marjorie Faeth, St. Charles, Mo were married. They became the parents of three children: Greg, a graduate of the University of Missouri, with a dairy major, now operates the farm and herd. A second son, Randy is a student at Central Missouri State University, and a daughter Gloria is a student at the University of Missouri.

Wendell was named the local J.C.’s Outstanding farmer in 1966. He was a member of the first Mid-America Dairymen Young Cooperation Group in the state. He was a member of the American Guernsey Association and held many office in the local and state Guernsey Association. He worked part time for the USDA Statistical Crop Reporting. Service from 1963 until his death. He was an enumerator for 25 years and a supervisor for three years.

Service to the dairy industry, his church and community were very prominent in Wendell’s life. He assisted with junior dairy programs, hosted FFA regional dairy judging events and other youth activities. He was awarded an Honorary State Farmer Degree in 1990. Eleven young men from five Midwest universities served dairy internship’s with Wendell. He also hired a number of troubled young men, some with prison records, who needed a job and help. Love of people was a high priority in Wendell’s life. In addition to his versatile activities, Wendell was an excellent musician and served as organist for his church for over 40 years.