Wendell James Freeman, 80, Wellington, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 27 surrounded by his beloved children. He was born in Minneapolis, KS on November 7, 1940 to Herbert G. and Ruth (Payne) Freeman.

The thirteenth of fourteen children, Wendell grew up in Minneapolis and treasured his adventures with his brothers, sisters, and friends and loved to share those stories. His upbringing taught him the value of family, friends, hard work, and loyalty, and he instilled those same values in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Wendell started working on a dairy farm before he was even 10. Not long after that he went to work at a local service station where his dad and brothers were working. In his early 20s, he came to the Wellington area to work at Sportsman Camper. Shortly after arriving in Wellington, he met Elaine (Winchell), who became the love of his life. The two married on October 21, 1967, and they celebrated nearly 50 years of marriage and the raising of their family before her passing in 2017.

Together, they made Wellington their home.   After a night of helping Elaine in the bakery at the local IGA, where she was the manager, the two decided that owning their own bakery could be their dream. Their dream became reality and their nearly 40 year ownership of The Daylight Donut shop made it a mainstay of the downtown community. It was a career that he loved with his whole heart, and he was incredibly grateful for the relationships that he built throughout the years over a cup of coffee and a donut, and was thankful to those who made the donut shop part of their daily routine, or a place to celebrate special occasions. He took enormous joy in providing a birthday donut, or a free balloon for the kids and seeing the smile on their faces. He and Elaine enjoyed teaching many of the young folks in Wellington about work ethics through their first jobs at the shop. He believed deeply within his bones in the value of local businesses and investing in your community and your neighbor.

His greatest joy in life was being Papa Donut. He loved his grandkids and great-grandkids with a heart as big as they come. In his eyes, they were his greatest blessings and they brought him endless pride and happiness. Wendell was also a die-hard Kansas State fan. If you ever had the pleasure of watching a game with him, you already know that neither the Wildcats, Chiefs or Royals ever lost a game by their own accord, the refs must have been cheating if his teams didn't bring home a victory!

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Ruth; wife, Elaine (Winchell); infant son, Richard James; brothers, LLoyd, Neal, Ted, C.D., Ronald, and Edward J. ; sisters, Alena Rasmussen and LaDonna Perkins. Survivors are his children, Debra Sampson and her husband Ernest, Heath Freeman and his wife Jaylene, Lori Freeman and her partner Erin Shy; grandchildren, Gwendolynn Sampson-Barnhart and her husband Shaun, Scott Sampson and his wife Amber, and Peyton James Freeman; great-grandchildren, Jakob, Drew, Jasmine, and Addison Sampson, and Reagan Sampson; brothers, Royce, Harley, and John Paul; sisters, Ann Province and Colena Austin. He also leaves behind his beloved kitty, Fritter.

Wendell provided his family with a life of endless support, belly laughs, absolute selflessness, unchallenged loyalty, and his undying love. He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed. The most immediate family will hold a private graveside service at this time, with hopes of a public Celebration of Life event later this year under safer conditions. Frank Funeral Home in Wellington will have visitation on Friday, March 5th from 11 am to 6 pm for those who may wish to pay private respects. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Wellington Humane Society at 203 W. Hillside, PO Box 494 Wellington, KS 67152 or left at the Funeral Home.

Frank Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.