In Memory of Dorene Wonder

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 28, 2016 at the United Church of Christ of Schleswig, Iowa. The Reverend Kevin J. Freese will officiate. Committal Services will be held in the Morgan Township Cemetery, of Schleswig, Iowa. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 27, 2016 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

Dorene Marion Wonder oldest child of Herbert and Lucille (Carlson) Bennigsdorf was born in Charter Oak, Iowa on September 10, 1929.

Dorene married LeRoy Wonder on her birthday, September 10, 1946 at the United Church of Christ parsonage in Schleswig, Iowa. The Rev. Alfred Rinnie officiated. To this union five children were born: Diana, Rick, Randy, Rod and Cathy.

Minneapolis Moline tractors were a big part of Dorene and her husband LeRoy’s fun; finding them, refurbishing and collecting. Also all the great friends from all over the world that they met with the same common interest.

Dorene was a farmer in many ways. Involved with the livestock and crop work. She enjoyed the neighborhood card club “The Highland Ladies”, she served as club president. Dorene was involved with the club until it no longer existed. Being a member for over 40 years.

She worked at the Danbury Review newspaper on two different occasions, collecting news of happenings around the area and the layout of the paper. Dorene taught Sunday school and bible school at the U.C.C. church in Schleswig, Iowa. In her later years she would care for the elderly in their homes.

She loved her eight grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren dearly, they gave her such happiness.  Not only them, but her own children and her brothers and sisters as well.

Dorene and LeRoy farmed for 45 years in the Danbury area, until retiring and moving into their home in Galva, Iowa, in 1991.

Those left to cherish fond memories of her are her surviving children and spouses, Rick and Audrey Wonder of Ida Grove, Iowa,  Randy and Deb Wonder of Redfield, Iowa, Rod and Jane Wonder of Danbury, Iowa,  Cathy and David Henningsen of Ida Grove, Iowa, and Mel Schoeppner of Storm Lake, Iowa; grandchildren, Greg and Jill Wonder of Ute, Iowa, Andrea and James Gangestad of Breda, Iowa, April and Jeremie Reitz of Ida Grove, Iowa, Ginger Wych of Ida Grove, Iowa, Amber and Kyle Lemberg of Ankeny, Iowa, Amy and Dustin Folkers of Des Moines, Iowa, Nancy and Ryan Pearson of Dallas Center, Iowa, Nicole and Keith Carl of Lincoln, Nebraska; great grandchildren: Savannah, Austin, Brody and Camden Wych; Caden and Alexandra Wonder;  Zane, Caleb, Ethan, and Alana Reitz; Ava and Eli Lemberg; Lucas and Joslynn Carl; brothers, Vernie (Edith) Bennigsdorf, Darrell (Marlene) Bennigsdorf, Russ (Clara) Bennigsdorf, Lonnie (Marva) Bennigsdorf; sisters, Leila (Bernard) Lansink, Ruth Schmidt, Carol (Maynard) Miller; sister-in-law, Sharon Bennigsdorf; and extended family and friends.  

Dorene was preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy Wonder in 2013; daughter, Diana Schoeppner in 1992; father, Herbert Bennigsdorf in 1981; mother, Lucille Bennigsdorf in 2000; brothers, Bob Bennigsdorf 2006 and Gary Bennigsdorf 1986; sister-in-law, Marlene 2011, brother-in-law, Earl Dean Schmidt 2008.