Brenda Barnes Wachtendorf

Brenda Barnes Wachtendorf, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, age 76, passed away on August 5, 2024 at her home with her family by her side.

Visitation will be Friday, August 9, 2024 from 6pm to 8pm at Waco Memorial Funeral Home. Services will be Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 10am at the funeral home with burial to follow at Waco Memorial Park.

Brenda was born January 10, 1948 in Waco, Texas, the oldest of three children, to Jimmie Charles Barnes and Betty Goodwin Barnes. She attended Waco public schools, graduating from Waco High in 1966. Early in her career she worked at Brownwood Hospital when it first opened. She then went to work for Medical Laboratory Services of Waco for almost 20 years before she decided to go back to school and get her degree as a veterinary technician. She worked for 20 years at Hewitt Vet Clinic and Robinson Drive Animal Hospital.

Brenda married Lee Roy Wachtendorf on April 6, 1973 in Brownwood, Texas. At an early age she enjoyed motorcycle riding, softball, bowling, and horseback riding. She was an avid Baylor Women’s Basketball and Dallas Cowboys fan. She and Lee rode on many Cedar Brake Trail rides. They also enjoyed camping with their close friends.

Brenda was preceded in death by her father, Jimmie Charles Barnes; mother-in-law, Alma Wachtendorf; and father-in-law, John F. Wachtendorf.

Brenda is survived by her husband of 51 years, Lee Roy Wachtendorf; mother, Betty Barnes; son, Brendan Wachtendorf; grandson, Landon Wachtendorf, brother, Jimmy Barnes and partner Terri Van Gorp; sister Pam Roberts; and numerous other relatives and many dear friends.

Serving as pallbearers are Gene Leuschner, Stanley Leuschner, Alton Leuschner, Vernon Leuschner, Daylon Crye, and Doyle Lawless, Honorary pallbearers are Larry Weiss, Steve Kincer, Kenny Boen, Debbie McCoy, Brian Cunningham, Sandi Brock, Curt Adams, and Curt Ellis. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Brenda’s name to Fuzzy Friends, www.fuzzyfriendsrescue.org, Shriners Hospital for Children, www.shrinerschildrens.org, or Scottish Right for Children, www.scottishrightforchildren.org.