Wendell F. Husebo

Obituary of Wendell Husebo Wendell "Wendy" F. Husebo, 87, passed away on December 4, 2014, in Leesburg, Florida, following a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Born on August 18, 1927, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Andrew and Esther Husebo, Wendy was the younger of two children. He married Jean Thorsellon June 1, 1950, in Minneapolis-St. Paul. The young couple moved to Leesburg, Florida, in 1951. A man of deep faith, Wendy's first order of business upon arrival in Leesburg was to chair the steering committee of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. (Wendy and Jean were charter members of the church, and Wendy later served for many years as the church's superintendent.) In November 1951, Wendy and his brother Paul purchased WLBE radio station. The two brothers also acquired the local baseball team, The Leesburg Packers, which later became known as The Lakers. In 1953, he was recognized as the "Most Outstanding Young Man of Leesburg" and also received the Distinguished Service Award from the Leesburg Jaycees. With a passion for business and for making things happen, Wendy and Jean founded Husebo Advertising, which later became Husebo Advertising and Public Relations, in 1962. Highlights of Wendy's nearly 60-year career included pitching a winning presentation to Roy Disney with Walt Disney World for Florida Telephone and orchestrating the grand openings of both Citizens National Bank of Leesburg and Leesburg Regional Medical Center. He was known for having a way with words and was deeply respected for standing firmly behind those of his own. Despite the demands of his rapidly growing business, Wendy always made time to serve his beloved community. Some of his contributions included serving two terms as president of Silver Lake Golf and Country Club; serving as a director of Citizens National Bank of Leesburg; and serving as a member of the Lake County Executives Club. In 2009, Wendy was inducted into the Lake County Community Service Awards Hall of Fame. Wendy was a proud Rotarian for more than 60 years, and he served two terms as president of the Leesburg Rotary Club, 1958 and 1962. He was named a Paul Harris Fellow in 1987, eventually becoming a Triple Paul Harris Fellow. He was named Rotarian of the Year for 1998-99 and was the club's songleader for over 50 years. In recognition of his enduring devotion, the Wendell F. Husebo Rotary Scholarship was created in March 2012. A Florida Gator through and through, Wendy was an active member of the Lake County Gator Club for many years. His other favorite pastimes included tennis, running, and spending time with all of his family. Wendy is survived by his children, Larry Husebo, wife Sara Vaughan Husebo; Lanny Husebo, wife Jacqueline Swiderski Husebo; Sandra Husebo Odom, husband Stephen Odom; grandchildren, Tyler Husebo with wife Melissa Silengo Husebo; Joel Husebo; Benjamin Husebo and wife Ayslinn Herndon; Brian Husebo and wife Lisa Husebo; Lancee Kurcab and husband Nathanael Kurcab; L. Wendell Husebo; Sophia Husebo; Caroline Husebo; Wendy Johnston; Stephanie Fiscarelli and husband TJ Fiscarelli; Leslie Stevens and husband Patrick Stevens; great grandchildren; Kyla & Cole Husebo; Easton & Hollis Husebo; Rhiannon, Joseph, Daniel, Timothy Husebo, Samuel Husebo; Allyson Johnston; Troy, Turner, Thomas Fiscarelli; and Brady Stevens and was predeceased by his wife, Jean. A memorial service will be held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Leesburg on Wednesday, December 10, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. There will be a viewing at Beyer's Funeral Home in Leesburg on Tuesday evening, December 9, from 5pm - 7pm. If preferred, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in Wendy's name to: Mount Dora Christian Home & Bible School. Please visit the following website for more information...www.chbs.org. Online condolences may be left at www.beyersfuneralhome.com. Arrangements entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home and Crematory, Leesburg, FL.

Wendell F. Husebo

August 18, 1927 - December 5, 2014