Wendell B. Sleeuwenhoek, 94, of Grinnell passed away on October 27, 2020, at the Mayflower Community Health Care Center with care from Hospice of the Midwest. A Celebration of Life service for both Wendell and his wife, Golda, who passed away July 19, 2019, will be held in the Spring of 2021, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Memorial contributions may be designed to Grinnell First Friends Church Kitchen Remodeling Project Fund. Wendell was born on November 21, 1925, on the family farm, rural Kilduff, the son of Barend and Mabel Clausen Sleeuwenhoek. His early life was shaped by the Great depression. He worked for neighbors on their farms in rural Kilduff for 50 cents a day. He also trapped for furs at a nearby creek. He enjoyed farming with his brothers on the home place and borrowing a car so he could attend high school, picking up neighbor kids on the way. He took business classes in high school, a rarity for a farm kid but he knew it would help later on. He was a 1944 graduate of Grinnell High School. On September 1, 1946, he was united in marriage to Golda Mae Durr, at the Bethel church, rural Jasper County. He began working for the Rock Island Railroad at the depot as the mail clerk. With Golda working full time, they began saving for a farm. They purchased the family farm in 1950, southwest of Grinnell, where they had lived for over 70 years, prior to moving to the Mayflower Community. His love of the land and farming defined him. In 1964, he began working at Miracle Recreation as Traffic Manager and soon worked his way up to Sales Manager and finally International sales. He continued to farm and work through those years and finally retired from MIRACO with International sales in the early 90's. During those years he and Golda traveled for the companies to Europe, Mexico as well as the Middle east. They met good friends along the way as they never knew a stranger and he was especially interested in the farm practices in other countries. In retirement, he found great enjoyment in breeding Belgian Blue cows and mowing his acres. He and Golda would set out in the drive way under the trees and wave to those passing by, with folks often stopping by for a visit. He was a member of the Grinnell First Friends Church where they both are missed. He was also a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge. He will be remembered as a kind man full of wisdom and a love of people. His quick smile, lighthearted banter and easy-going nature endeared him to all, and especially to Golda, who was the light of his life. They were blessed to have had many years together and especially as they transitioned to the Mayflower Health Center, where they appreciated the care they received during their final years. Wendell is survived by daughter Robin (Rick) Young of Grinnell and son Kendell Sleeuwenhoek of Rock Creek Lake; six grandchildren: Travis (Becky) Jilek of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Brooke Jordan and Kassidy (Zack) Greeney of Faribault, Minnesota and Levi (Savanah) Sleeuwenhoek of Lawrence, Michigan; Step-grandchildren: Aubrey (John) Lacy, and Joe Bloomer; 10 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren, and two sister-in-law's, Lenore Sleeuwenhoek of Victor and Bernice Sleeuwenhoek of Grinnell. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 73 years, Golda; his daughter-in-law, Amy Sleeuwenhoek in 2018; six brothers, Alfred, Lawrence, Earl, Carroll, Lloyd and Norman; one sister, Grace Sleeuwenhoek; one grandson; and two great-great-grandsons. We will miss him….