GUNTHER, Rogene Ruth (Rahn) 1956-2019

GUNTHER, RAHN, DERKSEN

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 6/19/2019 at 10:57:04

Rogene Ruth "Ro" Gunther

February 9, 1956 - June 13, 2019

Rogene Ruth Rahn was born on February 9, 1956 to George A. and Gladys J. (Derksen) Rahn of Butterfield, Minnesota. She attended the Christian Day School in Mountain Lake, MN her elementary years and Butterfield-Odin School her high school years, graduating in 1974. She attended college at Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, Nebraska.

While there she met Curtis Gunther of Mayetta, Kansas. They were married on November 20, 1976 at the Gospel Mennonite Church in Mountain Lake, MN. They were blessed with three children: Michael, Jonathan and Joanna. She was devoted to her family, always giving her support and love. With her bubbly personality she could bring joy and laughter to any situation. She was always looking for fun!

Following their marriage the young couple moved to Dallas, TX where Curtis graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary. In the years that followed, Rogene supported her husband’s ministries at churches in Cedar Vale, KS; Hector, MN; Aledo, IL; and Elgin, IA. She felt blessed to have her dream fulfilled to be a pastor’s wife. She loved the people - and loved teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible Schools.

She had the heart of an evangelist. Rogene kept a long list in the front of her Bible naming the people with whom she had prayed to receive Christ. She, herself, received Christ as her Savior when she was eight years old while attending Vacation Bible School. She and her husband did a short-term missionary internship in Germany one summer.

Curt and Rogene moved to Washburn, IA in 2002. There Rogene turned her attention to nursing - another one of her dreams. At the age of 50, she graduated from Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, IA with her LPN and RN degrees. She was a loving and compassionate caregiver at Ravenwood in Waterloo, IA; Denver Sunset Nursing Home in Denver, IA; and Western Homes in Cedar Falls, IA.

Rogene was very gifted musically. She was a composer and had her first song published at age 15. She could play the accordion, guitar, cornet, and organ. But it was at the piano that she excelled! With her natural talent she could play without music and could play in any key. She blessed many song services with her spirit and flare at the piano. She started accompanying choirs even before she was a teenager. She began giving piano lessons at age 16 and continued teaching for 28 years.

Left to remember a life well-lived are husband Curtis Gunther, son Michael and grandson Mason, son Jonathan and grandson Tanner, daughter Joanna (Emanuel) Martinez and grandchildren James and Sierra; siblings Violette (Paul) Bridgman, Vernelle (Glen) Jones, David Rahn; brothers-in-law and sisters-in law Dixie (Randy) Battey, Bruce (Reggi) Gunther; mother-in-law Marie Gunther; Church family at Heartland Community in La Porte City, IA; and her Western Homes family in Cedar Falls, IA.

She is preceded in death by her parents, George and Gladys Rahn, and her father-in-law Clair Gunther.

The family of Rogene Gunther wishes to thank you for your kindness and sympathy at a time when it was deeply appreciated.

Memorials may be directed to Heartland Community Church or Gideons International.

SOURCE: Hagarty Waychoff Grarup funeral home