Representative Wendell Clarence Pellett View All Years

WENDELL C. PELLETT

Mr. Speaker: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character, and public service of the late Honorable Wendell C. Pellett, begs leave to submit the following Memorial:

Wendell C. Pellett was born on March 15, 1917 in Cass County, remained in the area during his childhood, graduated from Atlantic High School, and attended Iowa State University. He married Haleen Judd in 1943, and they lived on a farm in Cass County where they raised one son and one daughter.

He had a successful farming career in the Atlantic area, serving on a great many boards and associations. He was a past member of the Atlantic School Board, and served on the Atlantic Methodist Church Board. He was an outstanding member of the Lions Club, serving as former district governor of Lions International, and five years as trustee of the Iowa Lions Sight Conservation Foundation. His farming expertise awarded him the honor of Iowa Master Farmer in 1961, and he then served as commissioner of the Cass County Soil Conservation and at one time was the director of the Iowa Association of Soil Conservation District Commissioners. He served on the State Conservation Committee for eight years. In 1967, he was awarded the honor of outstanding Iowa State University Alumni for Cass County.

State Representative Wendell Pellett, a member of the Republican party, served as Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee for many years. He represented the Atlantic area in the House for twenty years from 1971-1990. During a study of members’ attendance records in 1979 and 1980, it was found that Mr. Pellett had the best record of any representative. He missed only five of 1,200 roll call votes in two years, which was typical of his dedication to his position. His constituents always felt that he did an excellent job of representing Cass County.

Mr. Pellett passed away on January 9, 1996 at the age of 78. His wife, Haleen of Atlantic survives him, along with a daughter Karen Stewart of Martelle; a son Rick of Atlantic; two brothers, Bruce and Ted, both of Atlantic; and five grandchildren.

Now Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Seventy-seventh General Assembly of Iowa, That in the passing of the Honorable Wendell C. Pellett, the State has lost an honored citizen and a faithful and useful public servant, and the House by this Resolution would express its appreciation of his service.

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be spread upon the Journal of the House, and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.

JOHN CONNORS

HAROLD VAN MAANEN

DICK WEIDMAN

Committee