Jason Wendt

Jason Wendt, 43, passed away suddenly Friday, July 10, at his home in Northridge, California. He lived in Southern California the last twenty years. Jason was the son of Jan Wendt and the late Harold Wendt of Hampton. He was the last baby born at the old Franklin General Hospital, and he rode in the FGH ambulance with his mom to the new FGH in August of 1971. Jason attended the Hampton Community Schools and graduated in 1990. He enjoyed music, drama, and speech. He played a saxophone in the Hampton High School concert and jazz bands. Jason also sang in the high school chorus and swing choir. He was a vocal All-Stater his senior year and the drum major for the marching band. Drama was Jason's first love; he was in the school plays from his freshman through his senior years. After graduating from HCHS in 1990, Jason headed for the University of Iowa in Iowa City, where he majored in communications. Persuasive speaking was his strength. Several times he gave speeches rather than taking tests in some of his classes. As a freshman at the University of Iowa, Jason won the Mr. Greek Contest. He represented the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, of which he was a member. During th...[more]

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irst semester of his junior year, Jason attended the American University in London, England. While he was there, he developed a friendship with a homeless man, who helped Jason with a class project by sharing what it was like living as a homeless person. Later, Jason visited Amsterdam, Holland/the Netherlands and Paris, France, before seeing sites in England and then returning home in April. In June of 1993, Jason went to Disney World on an internship that involved being a tour guide for MGM Studios. Jason graduated from the University of Iowa in 1994. During high school and college, Jason worked as a part-time radio announcer at KLMJ in Hampton. He also worked at Hardee's and Fareway. Later he worked at Younkers in Mason City. Shortly after earning his bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa, Jason packed his car and left with his father for California. He lived in several areas near Los Angeles, but spent many years in Northridge. He worked as a tour guide at Universal Studios in Universal City, CA. Jason's work was mainly in restaurants in the Los Angeles area, and most recently at a place called Fifties-Fifties in Old Pasadena. He started his restaurant work as a food server and trainer, and then moved into management. Jason got along with all types of people. He loved life and had a great time living it, but he left us too soon. Jason is survived by his mother Jan (Stevens) Wendt of Hampton. His aunts: Phyllis Wirtz of Hampton; Mary Ann Eisentrager of Allison; Nita Stevens of Eagan, MN; and his aunt Dolores and uncle Ken Stevens of Aredale. He also has many cousins. Charles Ramirez and his family of Northridge were like a second family to Jason. He spent holidays and get-togethers with them, his "best bud" Michelle Livingston, and many of his California friends. Jason was preceded in death by his father, Harold, in May of 1997. He was also preceded by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.