Wendy (Diane) Randall MacDougall died March 1, 2022 at home with hospice.  She was born March 19, 1958 in Breckenridge, Minnesota to Ken and Lois (Erickson) Randall.  She lived in Wahpeton, North Dakota until she was thirteen years old, and grew up among extended family and the ever-present winds of the North Dakota prairie.  She graduated high school in Rochester, Minnesota and went on to attend St. Olaf College where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Coming from a line of nurses in her family the profession was embedded in her spirit from an early age.

While in college she met the love of her life, Rob MacDougall, who she married on August 22, 1981.  Their wedding day was beautiful, the service simple, she only lamented the slow-paced polka band that was hired for their reception.

Her career was shaped by her love of children and compassion for their parents.  While working in Berkeley, California she was mentored by Inge McCormick, a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.  In 1987 she completed her Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Certification through the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota.  In 2001 she completed a Master of Science in Nursing from UW Eau Claire.  Wendy’s thesis project was on compassion, a quality she tried to embody and teach.  As director of the Dunn County Public Health Department she implemented the Nurse Family Partnership Program which she believed would help nurture and support the wellbeing of children and parents.

Her greatest joy was her three children who she poured herself into, giving them everything and coaxing them to be fully themselves.  She was dedicated to her grandchildren, seeking every opportunity to be part of their lives. She was a person of strong faith which she lived out among the community of First Congregational United Church of Christ.  She tried to walk humbly with God, desiring to love God and her neighbors as herself. She loved to travel, garden, sew, read, cook, watch birds and the stars, and bake, she shared these passions with friends and family. Her spirit was filled with gratitude for the love and care shown to her by family, friends, her church community, doctors, nurses and a host of others.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Lois Randall.  She is survived by her husband Rob MacDougall, her children, Molly MacGregor (son Liam), Jacob MacDougall (wife Jessica Haverstock), Hannah MacDougall (husband Jacob Koch; daughters Maia and Sonja), her father Ken Randall, her brothers, Tom Randall (wife Karen), Jim Randall (wife Sherri), sixteen nephews and nieces, and many other loved ones.

A memorial service will take place at 11:00 AM Saturday, April 2, 2022, at First Congregational UCC in Menomonie.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services.  The service can also be viewed online by going to the church website (menomonieucc.org).

The family suggests memorials be sent to the Dunn County Public Health Department Nurse Family Partnership Program, Stepping Stones of Dunn Co., First Congregational UCC, Menomonie, WI.

Condolences

1. Dennis Smith May 16, 2022, at 7:14pm

   Rob and family you have my condolences for your loss. Wendy was one of my favorite people. Always a positive out look and always looking out for everyone who need care and comfort.

2. Gary Johnson April 2, 2022, at 8:46am

   Wendy has been a loving presence in our lives in so many powerful ways. Her gifts were many and she offered them with humility and confidence. She will always be remembered and I feel blessed to have known her.

3. Jean Durch April 1, 2022, at 4:10pm

   Wendy always inspired me. I had the privilege of working with her as a fellow public health director. She had so much passion for serving others and promoting health and social justice. She shared her love for her family in many personal conversations. I pray for comfort for the family at your loss of Wendy.

4. Wendy Bauman March 31, 2022, at 9:29pm

   I am so sorry to hear of Wendy's passing, and my thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.

5. Crystal Halvorson March 26, 2022, at 9:27am

   Any stranger would read this tribute and say it would be an exaggeration, but this so accurately describes her embodiment of love, compassion, and care. I am honored to have known her and worked with her- she certainly made a positive impact on Menomonie Market and I am so grateful. Love to all of the family.

6. Nancy Horner March 25, 2022, at 11:14pm

   Rob, Molly, Jake, Hannah and families, my heart goes out to you all. Wendy was one of a kind. Loving, smart, talented and so very kind, she will be remembered and missed by many of us for the rest of our lives.

7. Linda Buchs-Hammonds March 18, 2022, at 5:14pm

   My sincere condolences. This has to be so difficult. May God hold you close(r).

8. Gretchen Sampson March 18, 2022, at 2:00pm

   I am so saddened to hear of Wendy's passing. I worked with her many years and she so inspired me with her passion and caring for social justice for underserved women and children. I enjoyed our many meetings together and was the lucky beneficiary of her leadership, humility, laughter, humor and positivity. And she also made a mean rum cake that was a big hit at several regional health officer meetings! She was a wonderful, generous person and will be sorely missed. I offer my sincere condolences to her family and am keeping all of you in my daily prayers.

9. Barb Loose March 18, 2022, at 11:15am

   Rob and Family My prayers are with all of you as you remember a life so well lived.May Gods love enfold you and may find comfort that Wendy touched so many lives. Blessed are the dead that die in Christ for their deeds shall follow them.

10. Lake Edge United Church of Christ March 17, 2022, at 12:59pm

    Dear Rob, our congregation is holding you in prayer. Our heartfelt condolences on the loss of Wendy. Love, Pastor Lex, Amy, and Lake Edge UCC

11. Kate Winters March 17, 2022, at 3:47am

    Rob,
    Just saw this about Wendy on Wisconsin website. I send my love and a heart full of sadness. Please know that Joel and I are thinking of you. Come and see us out here when you can.
    Kate

12. brad bergin March 16, 2022, at 10:54am

    Rob,
    My heartfelt condolences on your loss.

13. Darrell J. Ludwig March 16, 2022, at 10:01am

    Rob, so sorry to hear of your wife's death. I didn't know her, but knowing you I can believe that she was a beautiful person.

14. Peter Dahlen March 15, 2022, at 5:50pm

    A day does not go by this month of March, without thinking about the loss to this world, that Wendy is no longer with us.

15. Nancy E Platz March 14, 2022, at 1:17pm

    I had the honor and pleasure of getting to know Wendy over the past several years. What a wonderful Christian influence she was. She truly lived her faith.

16. Pamela Guthman March 13, 2022, at 5:05pm

    To Wendy’s family,
    I am so sorry to learn about Wendy. She was a true advocate for public health and impacted many through her career. I enjoyed working with her and offer my deepest sympathy.

17. Jan Klawitter March 12, 2022, at 11:28am

    Rob and Family - You have my deepest sympathies. Wendy was one of the most delightful public health colleagues and her dedication to the people she served shone through at all times. She was a great example of a servant leader. I am so sorry she has left us so soon. May her memory be a blessing.

18. Jane Adler-Corning March 12, 2022, at 7:32am

    Our condolences to the family. I met Wendy when her son Jake and our son Jordan swam together. She was always kind and thoughtful. Gone way too soon. My heart breaks for all of you as I’m sure she leaves a big void in your lives. Treasure your memories. Thinking of you all. Jane and Greg Corning

19. beatrice benda March 11, 2022, at 3:43pm

    Wendy was just identified in a post in our Reunion FB page, and her friend Samantha Brujold Chapman mentioned this untimely passing. Hoping I can insert this pic! She'd served as a Jr High Wahpeton Central Cheerleader back in the days before her family's move.. Would have liked to insert that pic! Sympathies to her family and adult life friends.

20. mac gimse March 11, 2022, at 1:48pm

    Jackie and I remember Wendy and Rob as a great team for adventure. They introduced us to the musical extravaganza at the DAKOTA, and joined us traveling abroad with so much energy, humor and grace. We dropped in on them to see their vineyard and meet family. Wendy was always at the door with the first hug to bring us in. That light shines on as we let our tears remember her.

21. Tim Ringhand March 11, 2022, at 11:01am

    Whenever I got to work with Wendy she was a light during the day. She exemplified the spirit of social justice that energized her public health work. We are so sorry for your families loss and our prayers are with you.

22. suzanne ciba March 11, 2022, at 6:37am

    We were so lucky to consider Wendy part of our family. I will always remember her fondly as a kind, smart, thoughtful person. I’m so grateful for the holidays she included our family in. Living far from home, I’ve been so grateful how she and Rob have taken care of and been such good friends/family to my mom. We will never forget Wendy. My thoughts and prayers are with Rob, Molly, Hannah, Jake and their families. Much love to you all.

23. Lieske Giese March 10, 2022, at 7:50pm

    Rob and family- my thoughts are with you. Wendy was a close public health colleague and friend. So many memories of work together. Most important to me - Our “coffee” meetings were intense and supportive and made me think and made me a better mother, leader, person. What a loss. Lieske

24. Patty Henderson March 10, 2022, at 5:43pm

    Wendy was my cousin, but I always wished she were my sister. One of the most special people I have ever had the privilege of knowing, and I miss her. My deepest sympathies to all her family.

25. Carol Lindberg Feight March 10, 2022, at 11:57am

    I was shocked to hear of Wendy's passing. She was my first best friend in Wahpeton, ND where we were neighbors. We reconnected years later in Rochester. I'm sending my deepest condolences to Wendy's family and especially to Kenny, Tom and Jim.

26. Roy F Erickson March 10, 2022, at 9:36am

    We're sorry to hear of Wendy's passing. She's in the arms of Jesus now, and out of discomfort.

27. Chris Kruse March 10, 2022, at 8:52am

    What a beautiful person we all have lost!
    Wendy was always a shining star amongst the often chaotic days of the medical examiner’s office- a true friend indeed. I could always count on her steadfast advice when times were difficult.
    I wish somehow I could have repaid her and lessened her suffering with this terrible disease.
    Godspeed to you dear as well as Rob and your entire family.

28. Mary Jayne Korich March 9, 2022, at 5:33pm

    My prayers are with you all
    Love Mary Jayne

29. Jeffrey Witt March 9, 2022, at 4:19pm

    Wendy and her family... The best neighbors one could ever wish for. They don't come any nicer. Love and our sympathy to Rob and the kids... Jeff and Jan

30. Lori Olson March 9, 2022, at 2:58pm

    We are so sorry to hear of Wendy’s passing. She was such a sweet lady and always easy to talk to. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. -Ryan & Lori

31. Angela Weideman March 9, 2022, at 2:05pm

    I was so sad to hear about Wendy passing. I worked with her as a neighboring public health director and I remember her as kind and smart! Wendy had such a love of family, she was always talking about her husband, kids, and grandkids. She will be greatly missed by her family and public health friends.

32. James Welch March 9, 2022, at 12:13pm

    Deepest Condolences and prayers for the family. She was a great asset at Stepping Stones when I was there.

33. Laurie R Weisser March 9, 2022, at 11:20am

    Im so saddened to hear of Wendy’s passing…I met her at Leissa’s Hair Studio many years ago and I always enjoyed talking with her when she came in ….she was such a ray of sunshine to me. My deepest and heartfelt sympathies to your family….she will be very much missed.

34. JODI DIERICH March 9, 2022, at 8:51am

    My sincere sympathy and prayers go out to Wendy's family. Having known Wendy through our mutual Dunn County employment, I respected her and believe that she always had the best interest of the residents of Dunn County at heart in her work through the PHD. She made a big difference in the lives of many. Praying for peace and comfort to you all in the loss of someone so dear to you.

35. Mike&Janet Dinger March 9, 2022, at 8:45am

    Love and prayers to the family with our deepest condolences. Love Mike and Janet

36. Kristin Rothaupt March 8, 2022, at 10:19pm

    So much love for you. She was an incredible woman, mentor, and friend.

37. Joe and Jan Womack March 8, 2022, at 8:22pm

    Rob,
    Jan and I think of you and your family fairly frequently, especially at holidays. We are deeply saddened to learn of Wendy’s passing. Perhaps we will see you again when you visit Hannah. In the meantime, we grieve with you.

38. Donna Stewart March 8, 2022, at 4:51pm

    Rob, Molly, Jake & Hannah-- our hearts are with you as you take each step forward in your life without the incredible spirit that was your wife & mother. Wendy made us all better people. Bob, Donna, Jake & Molly

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