Wander, Craig Phillip 1952 – 2012
WANDER, SCHMIDT, LEONHART, BODENSTEINER, LANGRECK, ANCTIL, MOEN
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/3/2013 at 14:37:41
Source: Decorah Public Opinion August 21, 2012, Page A-4
Craig ‘Motorcat’ Wander
Craig “Motorcat” Phillip Wander, 59, of Marion, formerly of Castalia, died Aug. 14, 2012, at home after a short battle with cancer. The family greeted friends from 4-6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17, at Murdoch Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Marion, with a Celebration of Life beginning at 6:30 p.m. An additional Celebration of Life was at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at Zion Lutheran Church, Castalia, by Rev. David Lenth. Inurnment was Pleasant View Cemetery, Castalia.
Craig, the son of Cleora (Schmidt) and Phillip Wander, was born Nov. 13, 1952, in Decorah. He graduated from Postville High School in 1971 and from Upper Iowa University in 1975. He was a member of the Acacia fraternity. He enjoyed participating in their events and loved his fraternity brothers. He married Lauralea Leonhart July 29, 1978, in Elgin. He worked for Radio Shack for 35 years as a trusted and respected manager. He “retired” and worked a 40-hour work week as a Sprint technician at Lindale Mall.
His true passions in life were trains, model railroading, snowmobiles (Arctic Cat), music and electronics. He especially enjoyed talking to his nephews about the latest trends in stereos and home theaters. He was a member of the Cedar Valley Garden Railroad Train Club. He appreciated all of the members and the sharing of new ideas and techniques. Many people have enjoyed his outdoor railroad layout on Highview Drive in Marion. He had three train layouts, two that went through the steps and completely around the house and one that went around his waterfall in the backyard. He loved working on his trains and running them for anyone who wanted to see them. His big claim to fame was his Halloween train. He and his family would decorate the yard and he would transform his train to complement the scenery. Many people looked forward to this event. The basement in his home is his very own train museum with a train mural painted on one of the long walls. He also spent time every year helping his wife set up and take down her classroom at Alburnett Community Schools. He valued his Alburnett friends and acquaintances.
He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. He was a man of few words who made many lives better because he had the gift of being a good listener. Coming soon to a Heaven near you: “Craig’s Train Emporium.”
Craig is survived by his wife, Lauralea (Leonhart) Wander; their three cats, Mitsi, Hank and Divya; one brother, Cletus (Loretta) Wander of Cedar Falls; one sister, Chris (Keith) Bodensteiner of Ossian; uncle, George (Caroline) Wander of Postville; much-loved nieces and nephews: Lori (Dan) Langreck, Samantha, Jesse, John, Jason Bodensteiner, Colette (Ed) Anctil, Darren (Amy) Wander, Bradley (Nichole) Wander, Brenda (Jason) Moen, Eric Leonhart, Allison, Sarah and Emily Leonhart; sources of great joy, great-nieces and great-nephews: Austin, Elizabeth, Lilly, Jared, Allison; and many treasured cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Cleona (Schmidt) and Phillip Wander; his grandparents, Mabel and William Schmidt and John and Christina Wander; in-laws, Derryl and Helen Leonhart; and a brother-in-law, David Leonhart.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Craig’s memory. Please sign the online guestbook for Craig at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
Transcribed from a newspaper clipping submitted by Janice Sowers.
Pleasant View Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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