Cody WANKEN

WANKEN, EVANS, PARKS, BROOKS, LEGAULT, HUNGATE, DAS, HOOVER, FICKLIN, FARR, GRADY, HEUER, POTTER, SHAFRATH

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/2/2009 at 10:57:59

April 11, 2008
Mason City Globe Gazette, Iowa

Hampton Marine is laid to rest
By BOB LINK

Rick and Sue Wanken of Hampton look for the last time at the casket of their son, Marine Lance Cpl. Cody Wanken, during the graveside service at Glenwood Cemetery in Goldfield Thursday afternoon. Wanken was buried with full military honors.

Outside the Hampton-Dumont High School gymnasium, a wall of honor features photos of alumni who have served or are serving in the military. On Thursday, the funeral service for Lance Cpl. Cody Wanken, whose photo hangs on that wall, was held in the gymnasium. Wanken, 20, of Hampton, died April 2 after being wounded last September in Iraq. A large crowd, including a delegation of Marines from San Diego, members of the Marine Corps League in Mason City and the Hampton VFW and American Legion, attended the service.

“He left home having the support of a loving family and friends in his heart,” said Maj. Philip Farr of the Marines. “He successfully completed boot camp, earning the title of Marine; and once a Marine, always a Marine. This week our Marine family has brought him home.”

Wanken was a machine gunner in the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. A 2006 graduate of Hampton-Dumont, Wanken graduated early and joined the Marines in May 2006. He was in the third month of a seven-month deployment when he was wounded and suffered injuries to his eye, ear and face, according to published reports.
He returned to the U.S. where he underwent several surgeries and appeared to be on his way to recovery.

“Cody was a gift of love from God,” said the Rev. Bernard Grady — “to his parents, Rick and Sue, and all the people who got to know him.” Grady talked about how Cody was his father’s biggest supporter during Rick Wanken’s deployment during Desert Storm. “After he graduated early from high school, he joined the Marines and was ordered to serve in Iraq.” said Grady. “When he was wounded we all supported him and hoped and prayed for a quick recovery,” Grady said. “But recovery was long and suffering great. His death brings great sorrow and frustrates our hope.”

Joel Heuer, a teacher and assistant football coach at Hampton-Dumont, told a story about a school bully picking on another student. Wanken told the bully to stop. When he didn’t, Wanken punched the boy. Heuer said Wanken was called to his office and told that even though the bully was wrong, the school couldn’t promote fighting.
“Then, when we called Sue about the incident, she came to school and really laid into him,” said Heuer. “But he sat quietly and listened to his mother, not saying a word, never disrespectful.”
Talking about Wanken’s contributions to the Bulldog football team, Heuer said he never wanted to let his coaches or teammates down. “I remember when he came to my office to tell me he had joined the Marines,” said Heuer. “I recall great pride. Cody loved what he was doing. He cared about what he did and serving his country.”

Classmate Troy Potter said Wanken was the best friend a person could hope for and was like a brother. “Cody, you became a man who deserves respect and honor,” said Potter. “Most of the greatest memories of my life have included you,” he said while wiping tears from his cheek.

Football coach Jerry Shafrath spoke last. “Cody called me a couple of weeks ago,” said Shafrath. “He told me that more than anything he wanted to get back to his unit ... to give other guys hope for recovery.” “I told him to keep pressing toward his goal. He had all the things it took to be a good Marine, commitment, honor and courage.”

Wanken’s casket was taken from the gym by an honor guard as a pianist played “America the Beautiful.” As the procession reached the back of gym the Marines stopped, took the white pall from the casket, replaced it with a U.S. flag, then saluted before carrying their comrade from the building.

The funeral procession traveled to Goldfield where Wanken was buried at Glenwood Cemetery. Cody Wanken is the second Franklin County resident to die because of injuries received in Iraq.

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LCPL Cody Wanken, 20, Marine who loved family

LCPL Cody Wanken, age 20, of San Diego, Calif., died Wednesday, April 2, 2008, at the Wounded Warriors Barricks at Camp Pendelton, Calif. Cody Wanken was born February 27, 1988, in Clarion, Iowa, to Rick and Sue Wanken. He graduated early from Hampton- Dumont High School in January 2006. He then joined the Marines, fullfilling a life long dream of becoming one of the “Few and the Proud” in May 2006. He was a proud member of the 3/5 Lima Co. 2nd Platoon. He had also gone to Alabama to do IED dog training this past year and became partners with his black lab, Seibert. He and Seibert had been serving in Iraq with the rest of the 3/5. He was injured in September of 2007 and flown to Bethesda Naval Hospital, after which he returned to Camp Pendelton. Due to injuries, he was attached to the Wounded Warriors Barracks on the base. His goal was to rejoin his “men” and finish the job. He was extremely close with his family. He and his father spent hours fishing and hunting, a passion they both had. He and his brothers and sister shared a close bond, and when home on leave, not far from each other. They had many nick names for each other. He and his mom spent hours talking. Cody was a rock for us all. To his two nephews, he is a hero; he always made time for them and included them in the famous garage parties. His passions in life included his friends (never far from his mind), football, baseball, camping, weight training and life in general. He was always a positive influence to all who met him and never afraid to do anything. He met life head on and put a lot of living into his short years. He was very fond of California and the Marine family he had.

Left to cherish his memory are his parents, Rick and Sue Wanken, Hampton; brothers, Andy and Zachary, Hampton; his sister Brittany, and fiancé Derik Evans, Hampton; his two very special nephews, Cadance Parks and Maddon Evans; Beverly Brooks “G” grandmother, Goldfield; aunts and uncles, Steven Brooks, Goldfield, Denise Brooks, Mason City, Toni (Serge) Legault, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada, Francis/Judy Wanken, grandparents, Eagle Grove, Lori/Mike Hungate, Eagle Grove, Becky/Dipankar Das, California; cousins, Brandy/Breanna Hoover, Brandon Brooks, Derek/Christina Hungate, Amaya/Austin Das, Simone/Sophie Legault, and Jamarin Ficklin. He was preceded in death by George Brooks, grandfather

He will be missed by his special class of 2006 and countless friends who his life has touched. We don’t curse God knowing we’ll see you again, so rest easy my mighty warrior your pain is done

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m., Thursday, April 10 (today), at the Hampton-Dumont High School Gymnasium, with Fr. Bernard Grady officiating the service. Burial was held in the Glenwood Cemetery in Goldfield, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for future disbursement. Sietsema Vogel Funeral Home of Hampton was in charge of the arrangements.

Eagle Grove Eagle, Iowa
9 April 2008