A memorial service for Merrill Wunder, 85, of Roseville, California, and formerly of Lake Park, was held Monday, May 9, 2022,at First Presbyterian Church in Lake Park. Burial was at Silver Lake Cemetery in Lake Park.
Merrill Lee Wunder, son of Herman and Elizabeth (Sell) Wunder and the youngest of 5 children, was born October 16, 1936, on the family farm in Lake Park, Iowa. After graduation from Lake Park High School in 1954, Merrill attended the University of Iowa. In addition to successfully completing the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program, Merrill graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in February 1959. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force and reported for duty that April. He was stationed in Lackland AFB in Texas, Ramey AFB in Puerto Rico, and Charleston AFB in South Carolina. After completing his commission, he worked for Del Monte Foods in Rochelle,IL before rejoining the Air Force. He last served at Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls, Montana.
While stationed in South Carolina, Merrill met his future bride, Joann Sellers Marschitz. They were married July 6, 1968, in Columbia, SC. After an honorable discharge, Merrill and Joann moved to Tempe, Arizona,where he earned an Accounting Master’s degree from Arizona State University. They later moved to the Sacramento, California,area where Merrill worked as a civilian accountant at McClellan AFB until his retirement.
His membership at Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church in Fair Oaks, CA,was an important part of Merrill’s life. Involvements included the Mariners Fellowship Group, a Men’s Bible Study group, teaching English as a Second Language classes, and traveling to Romania twice on short-term mission teams. He also enjoyed his rose and vegetable gardens. As a way of helping with his arthritis, he exercised almost daily through swimming and using weight machines. Merrill always enjoyed trips back to Iowa to visit family and friends.
Merrill died on December 14, 2021, at the age of 85.
He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Rachel Wunder; sister, Joyce Jensen; his brothers: Bill, Kedric, and Dennis; brother in-law, Dick Jensen; sister in-law, Joanne Wunder; and nephew, Allan Jensen.
Merrill is survived by his wife, Joann of Roseville, CA; sister in-law, Beth Wunder of Ames, IA; nephews and nieces: Jack (Patty) Jensen of Ft Collins, CO; Colin (Mary) Jensen of Wesley Chapel, FL; Roxann (Jeff) Newell of Mason City, IA; Carol Jensen of Eden Prairie, MN; Bob (Pam) Wunder of Newark, DE; Michael (Jennifer Maney) Wunder of Portland, OR; Lori (Jim Bonewald) Wunder of Mount Vernon, IA; Keith (Kathy) Wunder of West Des Moines, IA; and Kevin (Sue Swaim) Wunder of Camarillo, CA; numerous great-nephews/nieces, great-great nephews/nieces, and one great-great-great niece; and close family friend, Stanislav (Oksana) Kulbidyuk of Sacramento, CA.
Memorials can be directed to JJJ Scholarship Fund at Lakeshore Center at Okoboji or First Presbyterian Church of Lake Park, Iowa.
Turner Jenness Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.