Wendie Lou Schaeffer

Wendie Lou (Langton) Schaeffer

May 17, 1971 – December 19, 2017

Wendie Lou Langton was born to Carl and Clara Langton on May 17, 1971, their first child and later, big sister to George. 

Wendie attended elementary school at the old Nome Elementary School.  She continued her high school years, and graduated from Nome-Beltz Jr./Sr. High, proud class of 1989.  She also attended Alaska Pacific University (APU) studying Organizational Development and a two-year program with Doyon Leadership Training. 

In Nome, Wendie took on many jobs, mostly clerical jobs with construction companies for various projects in and around Nome.  She always had strong work ethics and never found herself without a job.  In the early 1990’s while working at the Native Programs Office at Nome Public Schools she co-founded the Nome Native Youth Leadership Organization.

After moving to Anchorage, she worked in the administrative department of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.  She had a national impact on Alaska Native and American Indian health care services.  She worked fiercely on health policy as member of the Indian Health Service Tribal Advisory Workgroup.  While still in Anchorage, she volunteered as a Girl Scout Leader, “Cookie Drive Mom” and served on the Indian Education Association Parent Committee.

In June 2008 she moved to Kotzebue, Alaska and on July 17, 2009 she married Stephen Schaeffer.  Employed at Northwest Arctic Borough, Wendie was the Director of Public Services, doing many things for the region while traveling to and meeting with each community leadership group.  She was passionate about search and rescue.  Her final position was at the Native Village of Kotzebue, running the ICWA program.  She was again helping people, the children of families in the region.  While working at the Kotzebue IRA, helped host the 2017 Qatnut in July.  Also volunteered with the Arctic Circle Racing Association, coordinating snow machine races as well as updating and recording the rules.  Co-Creating the Arctic Circle Spring Festival to provide fun and free outdoor activities for the community surrounding the Kobuk 440 sled dog race.  Helping with the Lions Club fundraisers and Bake Sales, Medical Fundraisers helping families in need.  Always willing to help with her many talents, computer work, cooking, baking, sewing/crafting, skin tanning, skin sewing and Native food preservation.

Perhaps the greatest gift for Wendie was the birth of her only daughter Catherine Janelle Pomrenke.  She prepared eagerly to be the best mom she could be.  She even watched birthing videos and bought and read countless books on parenting.  She and Shawn Pomrenke were blessed on July 24, 1993.  Catherine was the sparkle in her eye.  In Wendie’s more recent years, she was blessed with a granddaughter.  Catherine Janelle had a baby girl Tinsley Grace on June 16, 2013.  She quickly became Wendie’s pride and joy along with Catherine Janelle.  Wendie enjoyed spoiling her granddaughter and often sent for her (from Nome) to visit.  She couldn’t get enough of her.

Wendie enjoyed living a subsistence lifestyle and she enjoyed sharing her love of the outdoors with her family.  She was very proud to be an Inupiaq Eskimo and proud to say how much she learned from her grandparents Sam & Irene Kakik.  Her favorite pastimes included hunting, fishing, boating and camping. She became an amazing seamstress and loved sewing.  Her patience gleamed bright with beautiful kuspuks and artistry of cloth ulus and hand bags.  Wendie was a giving person and always shared with others things she made.  Her talents were many.  Wendie had many friends.  Many since childhood, Lifetime friendships that she cherished.  She knew how to have a good time.  Her laughter was contagious.  She will be remembered by so many she touched for her giving nature and beautiful smile.  And deep love for her family, especially those dear to her, granddaughter Tins and only daughter Catherine. She is survived by her husband Stephen and his daughter Darilyn, MaMa Clara, Daddy Carl and Brother George and his wife Denise, Dad Ross and MaMa Millie Schaeffer. Auntie Honey (Geri Kakik) and Uncle Jim DiLucchio.  Auntie Jan Johnson and Uncle Pete, cousins, Art Johnson, wife Corrie and Debbie Johnson-James, husband Donald.  Cousin Shelia (Johnson) Ellanna, husband Mischa and George Johnson.  Uncle Babe and Auntie Irene Anderson, cousins, Trudy (Anderson) Sobocienski, husband Colo, Sonny and Floyd Anderson and Katie (Anderson) Timmons, husband Chuck.  Sister-in-law, Aakatchaq, brother-in-law, Roswell Schaeffer, wife Sharon. Many nieces and nephews and countless cousins.

The Nome Nugget

PO Box 610
Nome, Alaska 99762
USA

Phone: (907) 443-5235
Fax: (907) 443-5112

www.nomenugget.net

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