Jane Lee Bryant Wendel was born on August 7, 1940. Her parents, Luther Talbert Bryant, an Austin, Texas police officer, and Ruth Caroline Reinicke Bryant, a homemaker, were now blessed with their second daughter. Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, Jane joined her sister, Caroline Lou. When Jane was in her 60s, she joyously located her half-brother, John Blount.
She passed away peacefully on September 1, 2026 in Victoria, Texas after being with her family, who she loved very much. She led a faithful, beautiful and full life throughout her 86 years.
With her lively personality, Jane was selected to be a cheerleader at Wynn Seale Junior High School and then met many of her forever friends at W.B Ray High School in Corpus Christi, Texas.
On a festive fall evening in 1957, she met Halley Boyd Wendel, who had just returned from the service and was driving a new ‘58 black and white Chevy Impala, at Pick’s Drive In. A love story began that night and they wed on a rainy evening on June 5, 1959 at the Second Baptist Church.
They joined Christ Lutheran Church, where their two children, Randall Lee and Elizabeth Dawn were baptized and confirmed. When they moved to Coleto Creek near Victoria, Texas, they proudly helped start a new church in 2013, Christ the King Lutheran Church in Victoria, Texas.
The Wendel family loved to camp, ski, sailboat, swim and fish. Summer weekends were spent at their cabin on Lake Mathis with family and friends, enjoying the lake, games, barbeques and warm breezy evenings outdoors.
Memorable family vacations included Las Vegas to visit Halley’s brother and family. Weekend family trips included camping at City Park on Lake Austin and Garner State Park. The family celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary in Nashville, where Jane met country music superstar Clay Walker and became one of his biggest fans. Clay’s music will lead us in “Amazing Grace” during the service. Porter Wagner wished them a Happy Anniversary from the Grand Ole Opry Stage during the trip. She looked forward to traveling and vacations, especially to Branson, Missouri.
Jane’s most blessed days were when she became Grams to Steven Paul Wendel, an early Christmas present, and Kyle Bryant Wendel, who was born on her birthday. Grams loved these two babies, who she saw grow into two amazing men.
Jane was also a mom to many, many loving pets. One day, Jane and Halley were driving back to their home on Coleto Creek and saw a baby black lab next to the road. This little puppy followed them around like a shadow. So, Shadow joined the decades of pet family members. Her last pet was Kitty Kitty, who you could find every morning on her lap, helping to solve the daily crossword puzzle.
Jane loved to sew and needlepoint when she was young, had a very green thumb with gardens filled with beautiful flowers and was a very good cook, especially her roast and bundt cakes.
She also was a fan of The University of Texas Longhorns and the Dallas Cowboys.
When Randy and Dawn were in high school, she dedicated her volunteer time to Boy Scouts and Camp Fire Girls. She was extremely proud to lead six Gregory-Portland High School students, including Dawn, to receive the highest award in Camp Fire, the Wo-He-Lo Medallion. Halley and Jane spent many fun-filled days helping Scouts achieve their merit badges. Her son, Randy, and grandchildren Steven and Kyle also achieved the highest honor in scouts, the Eagle Scout Award.
Jane and Halley were a team when it came to their careers. Together, Jane assisted Halley to become a top sales representative in the United States at Hilti Fastening Systems. One of their most memorable trips was to Switzerland, where they celebrated with other top performers at Hilti’s national headquarters.
In 1982, they started their own company, Diamond Core Drilling Systems in Corpus Christi. Randy joined the company, working weekends while attending the University of Texas, and then became full-time after graduation. Together, Jane, Halley and Randy operated the now 44-year-old company.
Jane’s life was filled with so many wonderful memories, so one final last memory was when she saw Elvis at the Corpus Christi Coliseum. Oh, to be a teenager, seeing Elvis and including this memory in her faithful, beautiful and full life. The family often sits on the Coleto Creek porch on a cool summer breezy mornings watching the cardinals on the bird feeder and singing Elvis’ rendition of “How Great Thou Art”, which will also be sung at her Celebration of Life service.
Jane is survived by her husband of 67 years, Halley Boyd Wendel of Victoria, Texas; her son, Randall Lee Wendel, and his wife, Angela Hanselman Wendel, of Corpus Christi, Texas; her daughter, Elizabeth Dawn Wendel Lindsey of Austin, Texas; her brother John Blount of Conroe, Texas, her niece Ruby Lee Henderson of Rockport, Texas and her beloved grandchildren, Steven Paul Wendel of San Antonio, Texas, and Kyle Bryant Wendel of Corpus Christi, Texas. She is also survived by extended family and friends, who helped her live her beautiful life.
Jane’s family takes comfort in knowing that her Lutheran faith carried her home to God
She is preceded by her death of her mother and father, her sister Caroline Lou Sanderlin, and niece Carol Jeffries.
Pallbearers are Steven Wendel, Kyle Wendel, Kirk Sholars, Alex Mansker, Robert Knetig and Stephen Knetig.
Honorary Pallbearers are Javier Garcia, Everardo Alonso, John Blount, Taylor Stanford, Craig King, Matt Wendel, Cameron Knetig and Garrett Knetig.
The family was blessed to have the staff at Vitality Court and Hospice of South Texas care for Jane to make her life peaceful and full of joy.
The Celebration of Life funeral service is Wednesday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Memorial Chapel at Memory Gardens located at 8819 US Highway 87 North, Victoria, Texas 77904. Burial services will follow at Memory Gardens, located right next to the Chapel. Visitation and a light lunch will follow at the Chapel,
Memorial donations can be made to Christ the King Lutheran Church, 563 FM 237, Victoria, Texas 77905.
You may sign the guestbook, see photos of Jane and her family and send condolences at www.gracefuneralhome.net.
A life well lived is a precious gift Of hope and strength and grace, From someone who has made our world A brighter, better place It’s filled with moments, sweet and sad With smiles and sometimes tears, With friendships formed and good times shared And laughter through the years. A life well lived is a legacy Of joy and pride and pleasure, A living, lasting memory Our grateful hearts will treasure - Author Unknown