Robert Herman Wandel,

COTTAGE GROVE - Robert H. Wandel, age 81, of Cottage Grove, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011. He was born on April 4, 1929, in Milwaukee, the son of Herman and Elizabeth (Chicantek) Wandel. Robert graduated in 1947 from Washington High School, in Milwaukee. He then received a B.S. degree in chemistry at UW-Madison. Robert was united in marriage to Rita Sikhart on Aug. 11, 1956. He was employed as a research scientist for Oscar Mayer for 38 years, retiring in 1988. Robert was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. He was an avid bowler and a member of the Oscar Mayer Tuesday Night Three-Man Bowling League for more than 50 years. Robert also golfed on the Oscar Mayer Golf League for more than 35 years. He was a very generous man, involved in many foundations and was a member of the Olbrich Botanical Gardens Society. Robert is survived by his wife, Rita;daughters, Diane (Richard) Barden of Sun Prairie, and Linda (Dondi) Thede of Marshall;seven grandchildren, Tony Barden, Elizabeth (Kyle) Johnson, James (Susan) Barden, Adam Barden (Tasha), Tristan Thede (Alyssa), Shane Thede and Trevor Thede;and four great-grandchildren, Rebecca Barden, Isaac Johnson, Hailey Barden and Ronan Thede. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Norman. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield Street, Monona, at 11:30 a.m., on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011. Entombment will be at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., witha rosary at 7 p.m., on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011, and at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. Cemetery: Entombmentwill be at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation: Visitation will be at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., with a rosary at 7 p.m., on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011, and at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. Service: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield Street, Monona, at 11:30 a.m., on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011.