Wendy Jo Longtin

Wendy Jo (Matte) Longtin of Edina, Minnesota passed away on Saturday, October 5, 2024. She was 73 years old. Wendy was born on January 30, 1951 in Mason City, Iowa. The Matte family lived in Nora Springs, Iowa until they moved to Minneapolis in 1956. She graduated from Southwest High School (class of 1969). After high school she worked at Sears as a merchandise inspector, then at the Minneapolis Credit Bureau as a supervisor and trainer, but the majority of her working years were at Hennepin County as a senior financial worker.

Wendy was a very good dancer, as was our brother, Jr. The two of them would play records in our parents’ living room and put on quite a show. In her young adult years she saw some of her musical favorites perform live including Julio Iglesias, Tom Jones, and the Beach Boys. Wendy was a Girl Scout leader for four years. She liked the movies, “The Rose” and “Eat, Pray, Love”, and was obsessed with the television show, “Beauty and The Beast”. Like our mom, her favorite color was purple. Special moments that she treasured were fishing with Dad and hanging out in the garage with Dad while he worked on small engines, etc. She loved cats and dogs, and had several over the years. She was especially fond of her little Miniature Pinscher, “Tootsie”.

Wendy married Wayne J. Longtin, Sr. on Christmas Eve of 1998 in Tucson, Arizona. She and Wayne traveled all around the country for a few years before settling in Litchfield, MN. Wayne was active in the country music scene and they made many friends in their new town. They also founded “New Roads Ministries”, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the homeless. Their next move took them to LeMars, Iowa so that Wayne could be even more active in the country music scene and their circle of friends expanded. In 2012 Wayne passed away, and a few years later, Wendy moved back to Minnesota, settling in Lakeville where she lived independently in an apartment until she needed more care and eventually became a resident of Edenbrook Edina where she lived until her passing, under hospice care.

Wendy was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne; her parents, Dale A. Matte, Sr. and Phyllis E. Matte; infant sister, Susan M. Matte; and three brothers, Gary L. Matte, Mickey J. Matte, and Dale A. Matte, Jr.

She is survived by her two sisters, who miss her so very much, Cathie K. (Mohan) Praimsukh and Jennifer A. (Bill) Fisher; nieces, great-nieces, nephews, great-nephews, cousins, and many friends.

Cathie and Jen would like to thank the entire Allina Hospice team (Susie, Sandy, Kim, Tim, Megan, Anne, Mary, Rosie, Natasha, and Rob) for the exceptional care and compassion they showed Wendy in the final months of her life.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial celebration at The Clubhouse at Hearthstone Apartments and Townhomes, 15734 Foliage Ave., Apple Valley, MN 55124 on Saturday, October 26, 2024 from noon - 3:00 p.m. Lunch will be served. Informal attire.

Please consider making a donation to Samaritan’s Purse, in Wendy’s memory, to help those devastated by Hurricane Helene. https://www.samaritanspurse.org