Linda J Wedel, 89, alumni of Wasco High School, Class of 1955, passed away September 11, 2026 in San Luis Obispo County, California. Born in Alameda County, California March 23, 1937 to the parents of Virginia Whittaker, Wasco Librarian 1960s -1980s, and William (Bill) Whittaker, Mayor of Wasco California 1972-1973 and owner of the Chevron Full Service Gas Station on 7th street. She is a 5th great grandchild of settlers in Los Angeles County, California 1820s.Linda is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gerald (Jerry) V Wedel, great grandson of Jacob P Wedel (1919s) one of the farming Pioneers of Wasco, her sisters-in-law Bonny Macahilig, Becci Beebe, Joan Goertzen, Janet Mease, her brother-in-law Don Wedel, her son-in-law James (Jim) Gallagher. She is survived by her sister Judith Hinds (Wasco), her brothers-in-law Andrew (Priscilla) Wedel (Bakersfield), Bert Macahilig (La Habra), Dwain Beebe (Oregon), Ivan Goertzen (Bakersfield), Rick Mease (Idaho), her sister-in-law Vivian Wedel (Texas), her four children, Jill (Gallagher) (Santa Margarita), Joy (Brian Ash) (Bakersfield), Nick (Christa) Wedel (Bakersfield), Randal Wedel (Earlimart), Cathy Banfi-Wedel (Cayucos), grandchildren Justin Wedel, Jennifer Wedel, Stephen Banfi, Daniel Wedel, Zackary Ash, and Taylor Ash along with many nephews and nieces.

Linda and Jerry married, bought their first home in Bakersfield, and started their Ag Water Well Drilling Company which they both work at. Along with raising Linda’s first love horses, adding Golden retriever dogs of which they both showed, she became the 4-H Horse and Dog leader along with continuing to play tennis as she did in high school. Linda and Jerry quickly found they needed more acreage for the Drilling Company equipment and all the animals which made their next home outside the town of McFarland, California. More animals; emus, peacocks, a conure, sheep and Angora goats, Bedlington terrier dogs, joined in along with two bison. Linda and Jerry still found time to travel with their friends, play tennis, spend time at their mountain ranch, beach house and family weekends enjoying their trail riding and camping club. While the kids were young, Linda was a taxi taking kids and animals everywhere, being a chaperon for FFA events and school sports. Linda was often typing up Drilling Logs at 10 to 12 at night, when it was finally quiet. When the kids each got their drivers license, Linda was released from her taxi service and had more time to work in her rose garden and pecan trees, play with her grandkids, and join the ladies traveling to Los Angeles to enjoy live theater. She even took classes for computer skills when the computer first came out which helped with the business.

Linda and Jerry were passionate about two organization of the many they belonged. One was the Kern County Cattlemen and Cattlewoman Association of which Linda was awarded Cattlewoman of the Year in 1992 and the Kern County Teen Challenge Shafter of which they felt the method which is a Christ-centered approach of recovery from drug addiction for over 60 years worked. They both served on the board for many years.

When Jerry passed in 2005, Joy and Nick took over the Drilling Company, and Linda moved to her favorite home at the beach in Cayucos. While there she joined a group of retired persons called the Speedsters; the group was with the church she joined. They were anything but speedy, with walkers, oxygen tanks, canes and hearing aids for all, yet they had adventures every month, going to zoos, museums, or just out to eat, and they would laugh and enjoy the fellowship with being together and helping each other. Towards the end of Linda’s life, she just wanted to be at Morro Bay or the beach in Cayucos, and watch the dogs walking their people, (she knew every breed of dog walking by), watching the boats coming into the bay, she would read a book or her word puzzles, and drink a Diet Coke. She was truly happy.

Linda is greatly missed but she left her family and friends with beautiful memories and fun stories. She is now with Jerry and all those that have gone before her. She is now pain free, and sitting with our Lord.

Linda’s funeral is Thursday, October 8th, at Peter’s Funeral Home in Wasco California, 1401 7th Street, Viewing 10-1, Burial service starts at 2pm at the Wasco Cemetery, with a afternoon reception back at the Funeral Home. The family hopes to visit with all that loved and knew Linda during her 89 wonderful years. In lieu of flowers please donate to Kern County Teen Challenge, Shafter 650 Riverside St. Shafter CA 93263, a local animal rescue, or plant a tree in her name. Thank you, the Linda Wedel Family.