Wendall C. Harness

Wendall Clare Harness Sr., 86, was called Home to be with our Heavenly Father on December 22, 2021.

He was born in Muskegon, MI on March 2, 1935 to Reverend George N Harness and Clara Thompson Harness. As a toddler, Wendall’s family resettled in Staunton, IL where he lived until joining the US Air Force at age 17.  While stationed in Great Falls, MT Wendall met the love of his life and future wife, Lois Ann Christ.  They were married on June 29, 1954.

Wendall proudly served 20 years with the US Air Force. In 1962, he became a Special Agent for AFOSI retiring as a Senior Master Sergeant. Crediting the military with helping him find his way out of being a poor mid-western boy, Wendall tapped educational opportunities for active servicemen whenever he could, including earning his Associate degree from Shoreline Community College while stationed at Fort Lawton in Seattle, Washington.

At age 37, Wendall parlayed his investigative expertise into a second career of 19 years with Insurance Crime Prevention Institute hiring on as their Northwest Regional Agent responsible for investigating fraudulent insurance claims in cooperation with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. In 1980, Wendall, Lois and 16 year old daughter Lora relocated to Wilton, CT. He was promoted to ICPI Corporate Director two years later. An article published by the Chicago Tribune in 1985 about snuffing out insurance fraud described Director Wendall C. Harness as “the super sleuth of insurance crime."  Wendall served as Corporate Director of ICPI for 9 years before permanently retiring at age 56. 

Thrilled to return to their Seattle family home in Magnolia in 1991, Wendall instantly loved retirement! Who knows how many miles, smiles, states, countries, provinces, curling and bonspiels, ukulele solos with grandchildren, basketball games, family and friend reunions, bear hugs, dog walks, facebook chats, history books and novels, episodes of Downton Abbey, Dick’s burgers and grilled steaks, Mariners games, and Sunday morning television church services along side Lois were experienced over the past thirty years. In any case, it’s a good bet all were savored.  Wendall deeply loved Jesus, his family, friends and the United States of America. 

Wendall was preceded in death by both parents, three brothers and infant daughter, Valerie Ann Harness.

Wendall is survived by his wife, Lois and their four children: Wendy Lou (Bill) Gage, Barbara Zel (Mike) Lorsbach, Wendall C Harness, Jr, and Lora Jean Bresson. In addition there are 8 grandchildren: Paul, Robert, Marcus, Dillan, Emily, John, Molly and Nico. Plus 5 great grandchildren Mable, Mikey, Gigi, Carter and Gus.

Wendall C Harness, Sr was buried with Military Honors on January 18, 2022 at Tahoma National Cemetery, in Kent, Washington under a partly sunny sky surrounded by family. Pallbearers were Wendall C Harness, Jr, Marcus Harness, Nico Harness, Luke Brown, Don Tran, John Gage and Bill Gage.

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