Warren Nils Vendt passed away peacefully at the Brookings Hospital in Brookings, SD, on October 24, 2026 at the age of 91. He was born on February 21, 1935, to Herbert and Catherine (Van Ornum) Vendt in Worcester, Massachusetts; he was the oldest of 3 children. He spent his childhood in Worcester and Shrewsbury, MA. He graduated from Major Beal High School in Shrewsbury and then attended one year of college at Providence-Barrington Bible College in Providence, RI where he met the love of his life, Lenora Jean Cole. They were married in Salt Point, NY on October 15, 1955. They began their married life in West Millbury, MA but moved around a little in Massachusetts where their first 4 children were born. They moved to Twin Mountain, New Hampshire where their last 2 children were born. After the children were grown and out of the house, Warren and Lee moved to South Dakota in 1990.

Warren began working at a bank as a teenager where he used IBM machines. Later he worked at Astra Pharmaceutical in Worcester. While living in New Hampshire he worked various jobs including being a state highway worker, night auditor at The Mountain View House, self-employment that included cleaning and maintenance and then worked as an apprentice plumber, earning his Journeyman license. Warren and Lee then moved to South Dakota where Warren worked as the Maintenance Director at Lake Poinsett United Methodist Camp for 10 years. After that, he became the lay pastor at Lake Norden Baptist Church in Lake Norden. He retired from that position in 2015 and moved to Arlington. Warren and Lee recently moved to Estelline Nursing and Care Center in Estelline.

Warren was a devoted family man who loved his wife of 71 years. As any couple, they had their ups and downs, but their devotion to each other has been a great example to, not only their family, but to everyone who has come into contact with them. This wonderful example had its roots in the love that Jesus provides for all who accept Him as their personal Savior. Warren and Lee continued to pray for each other, their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and all others that were in need.

Warren attended church all his life and accepted Jesus as his personal savior when he was around 6 years old and was baptized as a believer at Lincoln Square Baptist Church in Worcester when he was approximately 12. He held positions as a youth director and deacon in several churches that he attended. Most recently Warren and Lee were members of Bethel Baptist Church in Brookings, although they were unable to attend in person the last few years due to health issues.

Warren enjoyed many things during his life including swimming, rowing (a member of his high school team), hockey, photography, fishing, gardening, woodworking and cooking. He especially loved singing; his strong, baritone voice stood out. He was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution because he had ancestors that came over on the Mayflower.

Warren was preceded in death by his parents, one infant grandson and brothers in-laws and sisters in-laws. He is survived by his wife, Lenora, six children: Tim (Martha) Vendt of Mountain View, MO; Sharon (David) Bicknell of Twin Mountain, NH; Stephen (Mary) Vendt of Twin Mountain, NH; Betsy (Dan) Sturgill of Littleton, NH; David (Tamara) Vendt of Elysian, MN and Daniel (Anne) Vendt of Mitchell, SD, 15 grandchildren, one step-grandchild and 30 great-grandchildren (to date), his brother, Clifford (Lois) Vendt of Effingham, NH and his sister Wendy (late Dan) Cragan of Raynham, MA.

A family memorial service will be held at a future date with internment at the Baptist cemetery in Lake Norden.