Bonnie Mae (Kauffman) Wenger

Bonnie Mae Wenger, 79, of Ryan, Iowa, passed away on Monday, September 18, 2023, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids.  She was born on April 14, 1944, at Strawberry Point, the daughter of Doyle and Deloras (Meyer) Kauffman. Bonnie was raised and educated in the Oelwein area and was a 1962 graduate of Oelwein High School.  

On June 9, 1964, Bonnie was united in marriage to William “Bill” Wenger in Fayette. Together they raised their six children on the family farm near Ryan. 

Bonnie was told at a young age that she had liver issues and would not be able to do some things, but Bonnie had a strong will and was determined to prove them wrong. Bonnie was not a hugger, but she showed her love through always being willing to help others.  Bonnie had many talents including cooking, baking, card playing, mushroom hunting, golfing, and fishing. She especially enjoyed family fishing trips in Minnesota, going to the casino, attending her grandkids events, and visiting. If you have met Bonnie, you know her.

Survivors include her husband of 59 years, Bill Wenger of Ryan; their six children, Barbara (Darrel) Schaff of Sibley, Pam Wenger of Masonville, Nancy (Robert) Portillo of Rolling Meadows, Illinois, James (Sharri) Wenger of Masonville, Robert (Teri) Wenger of Center Point, and Brian (Deb) Wenger of Masonville; 17 grandchildren, Justin (Paige), Matthew, Danielle (Matt Silvers), William, Maggie (Ryan) Merriman, Austin Portillo, Jacob, Kasey, Kody, Hannah, Jesse (Sierra Sattler) Schaff, Hallie, Olivia, Rachel, Colin Portillo, Marcus, and Kate; five very special great-grandkids who called her GG, Brooklyn, Hayden, Bennett, Wyatt, and Lillian Wenger; her eight siblings, George (Ronna) Kauffman of Strawberry Point, Elizabeth VanDee of Buffalo, Missouri, Anita Barrett of Cedar Rapids, Doyle (Barbara) Kauffman of Chariton, Steven (Teresa) Kauffman of Reinbeck, Marsha (Richard) Lens of Independence, Richard (Joyce) Kauffman of West Union, and Robert (Deb) Kauffman of Chariton; sister-in-law, Joyce Schlueter of Ryan; brothers-in-law, Mark Calkins of Des Moines and Amos Guthrie of Raceland, Louisiana; and many nieces and nephews.

Special family members were waiting to greet Bonnie, including her parents; her son, Michael Wenger; grandson, Joshua Wenger; four siblings, Verena Guthrie, Karen Calkins, Janice Kauffman, and David Kauffman; brothers-in-law, Marcus Schlueter, Donald VanDee, and Robert Barrett; sister-in-law, Roxie Kauffman; her Godson and nephew, Shawn VanDee; and her parents-in-law, Gilbert and Irene Wenger.

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