Hillevi Wendelin Obituary

Hillevi Margit Wendelin CHARLESTON - Mrs. Hillevi Margit Wendelin (ne;e Setl) died peacefully at Brookdale Assisted Living on Thursday, February 18th, 2016 in Charleston, SC at the age of 86. Mrs. Wendelin was born on January 24th, 1930, in Rauma, Finland, to Kustaa Adolf Setl and Toini Aurora Setl (ne;e Lunden). She married Pauli Otto Wendelin in 1954. In 1957, they moved from Finland to Covington, VA when Pauli was recruited to work for the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Co. (Westvaco). In 1961, they moved to Charleston, SC, which became Hillevi's home for 55 years. After Pauli passed suddenly in 1971, she worked for Stafford Green, importer, and later for St. Francis Xavier Hospital while raising their three children. She retired in 1995. Hillevi was an accomplished gardener and member of the Northbridge Terrace Garden Club. She was a passionate member of Ashley Lanes bowling league and an active member of the St Matthew's Lutheran Church. She learned English after she came to the United States. In addition, she spoke fluent Finnish, Swedish, and German. Mrs. Wendelin is survived by her daughter, Anita and her husband Mike Jones of Summerville, SC; son, Olli and his wife Mary of Charleston, SC; brother, Kalevi Setl of Pori, Finland; brother, Veiko Setl of Rauma, Finland; and brother, Marku Setl of Rauma, Finland. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Haley and Sullivan Jones of Summerville, SC, and Daniel Bean of Simpsonville, SC; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews in Finland. She is preceded in death by her husband, Pauli Wendelin; son, Karl Harry Wendelin; and sister, Irmeli Korsi (ne;e Setl). Mrs. Wendelin was buried in a private ceremony on February 27th, 2016 at Live Oak Memorial Gardens. The family would like to thank the staff at Brookdale Assisted Living for their care and dedication. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston