Toni Wendt was born Toni Lou Matson on May 25, 1952, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She passed after a long, courageous battle with ALS on September 18, 2024, age 72.
Toni became a hair stylist out of high school and hand painted Franciscan China, which helped hone her love of painting. She had a long career at Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works as a Data Manager in Burbank, CA until she retired to Gardnerville in 1998. Her strong faith led her to volunteer with several different ministries throughout her life and continued to comfort her and give her strength until the end. Toni became a very active and trusted member of the Tahoe/Douglas Elks Lodge for 15 years, serving as Exalted Ruler (President) twice. In addition, Toni was proud to serve as the Elks Lodge State Major Project Chairman for many years raising donations to support children in need. She was vibrant, fun, and a loving wife, mother and friend to so many and could always make one laugh, especially when it was needed the most. She will always be in our hearts.
She was preceded in death by her beautiful daughter Lisa Rose, her parents Peter and Virginia Matson and her five “Big” brothers Jerald, Mark, Bertram, John and Peter. She is survived by her son David Rose, husband of 37 years Gary Wendt, stepchildren Dianne Wendt and David Wendt, Grandson Daniel Miller and nieces and nephews who adored her.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 11:00 am at the Tahoe/Douglas Elks Lodge, 1227 Kimmerling Road, Gardnerville, NV 89460. A luncheon will follow at the Lodge.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to ALS of Nevada at https://alsofnevada.org in Toni’s name to help others suffering from this tragic disease.