Karen Crystal (Nelson) Wenndt, of Norcross, Georgia, age 84, joined her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on January 23, 2024, after an extended illness.

Karen was born November 9, 1939, near Grand Mound, Iowa, to L. Vernon "Rosie" and V. Mardel (Henzen) Nelson. She attended country grade school; she then graduated from Grand Mound High School in 1957. She had one sister, Judith, and one brother, Russel.

Karen was a strong woman of faith and a life-long member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. She was baptized, confirmed, and later married at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Grand Mound, Iowa. As a teen, Karen was active in the Walther League and it is there that she met her future husband, Lawrence M. Wenndt of Lowden. They married on August 9, 1959, and shared sixty-four treasured years together.

Mrs. Wenndt was a faithful wife, exemplary mother, homemaker, and together with her husband Lawrence, they were foster parents to hundreds of children over nearly forty years across four states. In Atlanta, they most recently served as foster parents for United Methodist Children's Home. Karen Wenndt left an indelible impression on the lives of countless children, many who were medically challenged. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Mr. and Mrs. Wenndt resided in Lowden, Iowa, in the early years of their marriage. There they were members of Trinity Lutheran Church. Their marriage was blessed with their first five children during their years in Lowden. They moved to Springville, Iowa, in 1973 where the remaining three children joined the family. As members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Marion, Iowa, Karen sang in the choir.

The family would later reside in El Paso, TX, Sandy, UT, and Norcross, GA. In each location, Karen found a way to serve the Lord. The Wenndt family were charter members of Grace Lutheran Church and School in Sandy, Utah. Mr. & Mrs. Wenndt were faithful members for the past thirty-six years at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Tucker, GA. Karen served on the Altar Guild and was a member of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League.

Karen enjoyed time together with their large family, cooking big meals, and playing cards and games. She enjoyed visiting various locations around the country on family vacations. One of her favorite activities was going shopping with her granddaughters. The last huge family event was the Wenndt-Nelson family reunion held in 2019 in the Wisconsin Dells where Mr. & Mrs. Wenndt joyfully celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary with over 60 in attendance.

Karen is survived by her loving husband, Lawrence M. Wenndt of Norcross, GA. Children including: the Rev. Thomas (Katherine) Wenndt of Hudson, FL; Todd (Pamela) Wenndt of Asbury, Iowa; Debra Baldwin of Lawrenceville, GA; Diana Pfingsten of Sussex, WI; and Paul Wenndt of Stone Mountain, GA; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Eleanor "Ellie" Wenndt; Karen (Donald) Mueller, brother-in-law David (Donna) Wenndt, and many former foster children who will always consider her as "mom." She was preceded in death and joyfully received in heaven by three sons: Brian, Jeremy, and Caleb; son-in-law the Rev. Michael Pfingsten, grandchildren April Baldwin, and Nicholas Baldwin, her loving parents, siblings Russel and Judith Knutsen, parents-in-law Carl and Minnie (Deerberg) Wenndt, brothers-in-law Fay Knutsen, Delbert Wenndt, Arlin Wenndt, and Lavern Wenndt.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 26, 2024, from 4 pm to 7 pm at Bill Head Funeral Home, 6101 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker, GA 30084. Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 11 am at the St. Mark Lutheran Church, 2110 Brockett Road, Tucker, GA 30084. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service, Rev. Hiruy Gebremichael officiating. Lunch will be served immediately following the service.

Services in Iowa: Visitation on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 10:30 am, with funeral at 11:30 am at Trinity Lutheran Church, 801 Washington Ave. Lowden, IA 52255, Rev. Daniel Redhage and Rev. Hiruy Gebremichael officiating. Christian burial will be at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Lowden. IA, immediately following the funeral. Lunch at the church immediately following the burial.

Memorials in Karen's memory may be made to St. Mark Lutheran Church, 2110 Brockett Rd. Tucker, GA 30084, or your favorite children's charity.