In Memory of Marvin R. Wunschel

Marvin R. Wunschel, age 92, of Ida Grove, Iowa passed away on Friday, September 4, 2015, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Father Richard D. Ball will officiate. Burial will follow in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa; with military rites by McNamara-Moore Post No. 61 of the American Legion of Ida Grove, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, September 7, 2015 with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m., 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 to www.christensenvanhouten.com 

Marvin Raymond Wunschel was born on March 1, 1923, the son of Arthur and Louise (Ericksen) Wunschel.

He grew up on the family farm between Ida Grove and Arthur, Iowa and attended Blaine #9 Country School thru the 8^th grade.

Marvin worked as a farm hand for various farmers before enlisting into the United States Army Air Force. He served during WWII from 1943 to 1945. Marvin was stationed in England and completed 29 combat missions as an armorer-gunner in the bomber nicknamed “Old Sack”.

On October 18, 1945, Marvin married Florence Marie Miller in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was honorably discharged the day after.

The couple made their home on a farm in Ida County and they were blessed with five children, Karen, Rodney, Diane, Roger, and Lynn.

After his family, Marv’s biggest love was farming.  He loved helping out on the family farm until he was unable to because of his health.  He was especially proud to see the farm recognized as a Century Farm in 2005.  He also liked fixing and repairing things with his hands, fishing, camping, watching sporting events, and playing cards.  He was a very active member of the American Legion and a past Legion Commander of the McNamara-Moore Post No. 61 of Ida Grove.  He rode the Iwo Jima float in parades all over the country, including Hawaii.  Recently, he really enjoyed watching the kids, grandkids and great-grandkids swim in Roger and Timi’s pool.  He also enjoyed a good wooden toothpick.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of almost 70 years Florence Wunschel; children, Karen (Roger) Bumann, Diane (Mason) Fleenor, Roger (Timi) Wunschel, Lynn (Troy) Hare all of Ida Grove; 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; brothers, Everett (Judy) Wunschel of Arthur and Clifford Wunschel of Ida Grove; brother-in-law, Donnie (Marguerite) Miller of Odebolt, sisters-in-law Lois Wunschel of Odebolt,  Ruth Roeder of Ida Grove and Vera Miller of North Carolina; and many nieces, nephews,  extended family and friends.

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Louise Wunschel; son, Rodney Wunschel; grandson, Seth Kelly Wunschel; grandson-in-law, Ryan Grell; sisters, Leona Cook, Virginia Carlson; and  brother, Leonard “Shorty” Wunschel.