In Memory of Roger Wonder

Roger Wonder, age 83, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at his residence of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 28, 2024, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa. Pastor Kirk Manchester will officiate. Committal will follow in the Morgan Township Cemetery of Schleswig, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 28, 2024, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Roger Lee Wonder, the son of William and Clara (Kluver) Wonder, was born on June 24, 1941, on a farm outside Schleswig, Iowa. He grew up on a farm outside Danbury and graduated from Danbury High School. Roger was a “Music Man” through and through. He played trumpet all through his schooling and was proud to be first chair. One of his proudest moments was being first chair in an area honor band, and being selected to play the “horse whiny” at the end of the Christmas song, Sleigh Ride. He loved marches and musicals, with “The Music Man” being one of his favorites. 

On May 18, 1968, he married Gloria Rudisil. The couple welcomed two children, Roberta and William. They later parted ways. Roger was always proud of his children’s activities, often attending his son’s basketball games and both of their music concerts. He passed his love of music onto his kids.  

Roger enjoyed working at Midwest Industries in his younger years and at Wilkin’s Hardware, both in Ida Grove. In 1975 he purchased Hollander Clothing in Schleswig and operated it until 1985, and was a member of the local community club during this time. Roger worked at GOMACO from 1986 until his retirement in 2020 working in the Receiving Department. In 2012 he received the highest honor from his job at GOMACO. He was the recipient of the H.W. Godbersen Award for employee excellence, loyalty, leadership, and dedication. Upon retirement, he had worked at GOMACO for more than 30 years. 

In his free time, he loved to tinker. There were always International Harvester Scouts and Cub Cadets that needed to be worked on. He could talk for days about International Scouts and had an encyclopedic knowledge of the different vehicles. Roger also was a train fan and miniature collector, and just recently went to Carroll to see the Big Boy steam engine as it rolled through western Iowa. Roger was a member of the United Church of Christ in Schleswig. 

He is survived by his children Roberta (Daniel) Lutz of Schleswig, IA and William (Kelly) Wonder of Eau Claire, WI; sister Bonnie Reynolds of Fort Collins, CO; nephews Rick Wonder of Ida Grove, IA; Randy (Deb) Wonder of Redfield, IA; Rod (Jane) Wonder of Danbury, IA; Cathy (David) Henningsen of Ida Grove, IA and Glenn (Dona) Reynolds of Windsor, CO; numerous great nieces and nephews, cousins, family members, friends; and several furry grandkids including a special grand-cat, Mollie.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father William and Clara Wonder; brother LeRoy Wonder; sister-in-law Dorene Wonder; brother-in-law Jack Reynolds; and niece Diane Schoeppner.