Jacob Lee Wonderlich's Obituary
Jacob Lee Wonderlich, age 95 of Centerville, Iowa died at Mercy Hospital Long Term Care on Monday January 8, 2024.
Lee was born May 28, 1928 in Sigourney, Iowa, the son of Jacob and Grace Wonderlich. He grew up on a farm in Ollie, Iowa and graduated from Ollie High School in 1946. The best part of his life was meeting and marrying Marian Kessel on August 31,1947 in Richland, Iowa.
Lee worked in construction for several years. In 1953, he started working for Iowa Southern Utilities in Eddyville, Iowa and was transferred to Centerville in 1966.
After moving to Centerville, he was involved in numerous organizations throughout the community. Trees Forever, Little League Baseball, Operation Santa and Meals On Wheels. He was also an active member of St. Mary's Church and helped care for the elderly. His favorite holiday was Pancake Day and he loved polka music.
Lee retired from ISU in 1988 after 35 years. In retirement he and Marian traveled coast to coast visiting their children and grandchildren.
Lee was extremely proud of his family. He said Marian had given him ten living trophies and every one of those trophies were more precious to him than all the gold trophies in the world.
He is survived by his ten children, Diana (Jim) Murray of Yorba Linda, California, Dan (Stella) Wonderlich of Winter Park, Florida, Jo (John) Goodman of Cantril, Iowa, Peggy (Richard) Ranes of Centerville, Iowa, Rae (Gary) Deklotz of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mary (Greg) Sharp of Dadeville, Alabama, Marcia (Doug) Hart of Centerville, Iowa, Rhonda (Phil) Swanson of Anamosa, Iowa, Barry (Susan) Wonderlich of Ankeny, Iowa, Jerry (Teri) Wonderlich of Overland Park, Kansas; 26 grandchildren; 37 great grandchildren; 6 great great grandsons and sister Marilyn Gott.
Lee was preceded in death by his wife, Marian; brothers Robert, Charles and Milford Wonderlich; son-in-law Jim Murray; and granddaughter Theresa Murray.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Centerville with Fr. Timothy Armbruster, C.P.P.S. officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Oakland Cemetery in Centerville. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at the church with family present from 9:00 - 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers the family would like memorials to be made out to Appanoose County Little League or St. Mary's Catholic Church, and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Wonderlich Family, 501 North 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared at www.thomasfh.com or www.facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
Lee's service will be streamed live on St. Mary's Catholic Church facebook page.
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