Obituary for Orlando P. Wadel

Orlando Paul “Dunk” Wadel, 93, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at his home in rural Mindoro, WI, surrounded by his daughters. He was born on September 17, 1932, in Burr Oak, WI to Harvey and Minnie (Kirchner) Wadel and grew up in the Burr Oak area, graduating from Mindoro High School in 1950.

After high school he attended the La Crosse Vocational School and was employed at Standard Oil Company in La Crosse from 1951-1953. He was drafted into the US Army during the Korean War and served from 1953-1955, stationed in the US and Germany. After military discharge and with the assistance of the GI bill, Orlando earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the UW-La Crosse. In 1960, he began his 33-year-long career at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, starting in research and then in the department of Clinical Chemistry, where he became the Supervisor of the Endocrine Lab.

Orlando was united in marriage to Carole Gartner on June 8, 1963, at Mindoro Lutheran Church. They lived for 40 years in Rochester, MN, where they raised their two daughters, Karen and Ruth. He was a devoted family man. He and Carole spent many summers taking their girls on road trips all around the country in their camper, where numerous cherished memories were made.

After his Mayo Clinic retirement, he worked in Rochester at the Mayo Civic Center and volunteered to assist senior citizens with their tax preparations. After Carole’s retirement they moved back to Mindoro, which gave him the opportunity to reconnect with family and friends. Orlando enjoyed going to auctions and watching the Green Bay Packers and the Milwaukee Brewers. He and Carole were members of the Sons of Norway, and they were both active in their church, with Orlando serving on the church council. He participated in and remained an active member of the American Legion for 69 years.

He is survived by his daughters, Karen Wadel and Ruth (Mike) Burgaz; grandson, Zachary Burgaz; sisters, Myrna Olson and Marilyn Enos; nieces; nephews; and many extended family members.

Orlando was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Carole; his parents, Harvey and Minnie; his brother, Gerald; sisters-in-law, Donna Wadel and Lorraine Leske; brothers-in-law, Bruce Olson, Louis Enos and Al Leske; and niece, Joan Leske.

His daughters would like to thank the staff of the Morrow Home Community in Sparta, WI for the kindness shown to Dad during his stay. While there he enjoyed participating in the group activities, making friends and sharing memories with those who grew up and lived in the same community that he was from.

Memorials may be given to Christ Ev. Lutheran Church – Burr Oak or to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN at give.mayoclinic.org

A Christian Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at Christ Ev. Lutheran Church - Burr Oak, 9113 WI-108, Mindoro, WI 54644. Rev. Christopher Johns will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Military honors will be rendered by the Gunderson-Gilbertson American Legion Post 507 of Mindoro and the United States Army Funeral Honor Guard.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at Fredrickson Funeral Home, Jostad Chapel, 121 N. Youlon St., West Salem, WI. A visitation will also be held from 10:00 a.m., until the time of service, Wednesday, at the church.

Online condolences may be offered at this site.