Joey Roland Wendland

Joey Roland Wendland, age 21, passed away unexpectedly on April 18, 2026, leaving behind a family and community who loved him deeply. He was born on November 18, 2004, to Blaze and Jennifer Wendland, the youngest of four. From the very beginning, Joey brought energy, laughter, and a strong spirit into the lives of those around him, always doing something that made you shake your head and smile anyway.

Joey grew up in Rudyard where he attended North Star schools. He learned the life of small town and hard work real quick. Hard work and play were part of his personality. He would be found biking to town with his siblings and their childhood dog Ruger to play with friends whether it was basketball, baseball or just being mischievous. As he got older Joey and his brothers started a mowing business. You would see Joey and his brothers driving around hustling for work. Brody, Jasper, Jade, Joey, and Ruger ran the town. Many times Ruger would hangout at Toner's to catch a break until it was time to pedal home and other times wait for them to get out of school. Joey spent his summers working for McCormick during harvest, running the combine and grain cart with a radio always in hand. He loved the long days and took pride in the hard work. Lunch and little breaks in the stubble were some of his favorite moments, a time to laugh and take it all in before heading back to the field.

Later after transferring to Havre High Joey grew a love for FFA. Sometimes coming to a new school is hard, but not for Joey, he just fit right in. Through FFA, he found something he truly cared about and took pride in. He met new people, built friendships, and made an impact in his own way just by being himself. It became more than just an activity for him, it was a place where he belonged and where he could grow into who he was becoming. He had a charismatic way about himself that drew people to want to be around him. Many times his Great Grandpa Jack would call him, during school hours, asking what he was doing for lunch. Well that phone call ended with Joey and the boys going to have lunch at Grandpa Jack's.

Family meant everything to Joey, he was not scared or shy to say he was hanging out with his Great Grandpa, his Grandma, his Mom, or siblings. If his friends wanted to see him they had to come out to Grandma Kaye's house. All his friends became family because that's how Joey made them feel.

Growing up as one of four kids meant Joey never had to look far for a friend. They were built-in best friends from the start. They shared the same home, the same routines, and the same memories that shaped them all. Days were spent outside, playing in the dirt, causing a little mischief here and there, and finding fun in the simplest things. It was loud, chaotic, and full of life, but it was theirs. It also meant always having people who understood you without needing to explain much. They lived the same childhood from different angles, but it was always the same story at the center. Even when things were not perfect or everyone was annoyed with each other, there was still this underlying connection that never really went away. They knew each other's habits, their humor, their moods, and the small things that made each of them who they were. Over time, those little shared moments turned into something deeper than just family, it turned into a sense of belonging that stayed no matter how life changed. As they got older, those memories started to mean even more. The house they grew up in holds pieces of all of them, and every memory is tied together through each sibling. It is the kind of bond that does not really fade, even when life gets busy or everyone is in different places. That kind of bond runs deep and lasts forever.

Another joy of Joey's was hunting. He loved the great outdoors and hunting for the big whitetail buck. He tagged many animals over the years, but more importantly he made memories with family and friends. He spent his last hunting season out at Great Grandpa Jack's cabin almost every weekend. Many times this past hunting season his Mom and Cinch were the bird dogs. Cinch rarely missed an opportunity to be with Joey. Cinch grew up right alongside Joey, living with him in a camper in Philipsburg, Montana, riding shotgun down gravel roads, and stopping at the gas station for their morning doughnuts. Whether it was in a pickup or on a piece of equipment, Cinch always had a spot right next to Joey.

Animals were a huge part of Joey's life. He had a natural love for animals and felt most at home anywhere he could work hard and be outdoors. Joey dreamed of having cows and one day that was going to happen, but he decided why not become a Black Belly Barbados Sheepherder. He set his mind to it and soon he had sheep. He always had a vision and when he set out to go after it...he did and he did it with pride. Whether he was around heavy equipment, livestock, or just helping out, that's where he truly belonged. He carried a strong work ethic and a desire to learn, always willing to put in the effort and figure things out for himself. He was truly a jack of all trades.

He also had a love for sports, especially golf. Some of his best moments were spent golfing with his mom and his friends, where it was never just a game. Joey had a way of turning it into a whole event, full of laughter, joking around, and making it feel like a party. Those are the moments that will be remembered and held onto the most.

Some of the best memories came from growing up at Norman's with Grandpa Scott, and the crew where there was never a dull moment and plenty of chaos along the way. Joey spent a lot of time with his Grandpa Scott and Grandma Kaye, as well as one-on-one time with his great-grandpa Jack, all of whom helped shape the person he became.

He was full of life, a true spitfire. Known by many names like Cousin Ishmel, JoJo, Jo Dirt, Josephine, and even "rotten little bastard," Joey carried each nickname with humor and personality. They reflected the playful, teasing, and unforgettable spirit he brought into every room. He had a bold personality and a way of lighting it up, often making people laugh when they needed it most. He could be stubborn and strong-willed, but that was part of what made him who he was. Beneath it all, he had a big heart and cared deeply for the people in his life.

Though his time here was far too short, the impact Joey made will never be forgotten. His smile, his strength, his energy, and the love he gave will live on in the stories shared and the memories held close, and in the loyal companionship of a good dog who never left his side.

Joey is survived by his parents Blaze Wendland and Jennifer Wendland, brothers Brody Wendland and Jasper Wendland, sister Jade Wendland, Grandmother Kaye Young, Grandfather Roland Wendland, Papa Craig Fraser, Aunts Molly Wendland and Mikinzie Fraser, along with several other close family members, cousins and friends.

Preceded in death by Aunts Jolyn Young and Jamie Young, Great Grandma Carol Norman, Great Uncle Phil Wendland, Grandpa Scott Young, Great Grandpa Jack Norman and the list goes on!

Memorials may be made to Havre FFA and Joey Wendland Memorial account at Independence Bank.

A viewing will be held on Sunday April 26th from 5-6pm at Holland and Bonine Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Monday April 27th at 11am at 5th Ave Christian Church. Holland and Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements and services. Please visit Joey's online memorial page to send a card or leave a message of condolence at http://www.hollandbonine.com