Rosemary "Rose" Wondra

July 8, 1934 ~ August 10, 2024
Rosemary “Rose” Wondra, 90, passed away on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Rose was born July 8, 1934, in Crawleyville, Indiana to Elwood and Myrtle McReynolds. She grew up right on the Wabash River and loved to swim and go fishing with her father. They were so close to the river their home was built on stilts to avoid flooding when the river flowed out of its banks, and her experiences on the river led to a deathly fear of snakes throughout her life.
Rose attended school in Griffin, Indiana where she participated in cheerleading and school musicals. After graduating high school Rose moved to Evansville, Indiana to work, which is where she met her first husband, Carl Courter. Though this relationship was not permanent, they had two sons, Richie and Robin.
After a move to Wichita, Rose found employment with Boeing, where she worked for 22 years before her retirement. Rose was proud of being one of the first woman manufacturing engineers with Boeing. While at Boeing she met the love of her life, Anthony “Tony” Wondra. They were married in 1987 and spent the next 33 years together, blending their families as well. Tony and Rose loved to travel, camp in their RV, ski, boat, golf, play tennis and bike.
Rose treasured her family and would tell anyone who would sit still enough to listen! Known as Honey to some, Gigi to others and of course Grandma, she was one of a kind and will be dearly missed. You never knew what was going to come out of her mouth.
Rose will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother who cherished family more than anything. Tony and Rose spent countless hours enthusiastically attending the sporting events of their grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her proudest family moments included the birth of her sons and grandchildren, meeting and marrying her loving husband Tony, and blending their families together.
She is survived by her sisters, Ruby and Goldie; children, Richie (Nancy) Courter and Robin (Val) Courter, Tonya (Stuart) Bevis, Mike (Jenny) Wondra; 6 grandchildren, Kara (David) Naydyhor, Cody (Melissa) Courter, Lindsey (Neal) Hanson, Logan (Hannah) Bevis, Taylor (Ben) Raulston, Alec (Isabelle) Bevis; 8 great-grandchildren with two more due at the end of the year. She was preceded in death by beloved husband, Tony; her parents; and siblings, Betty, and Elwood, Jr.
Funeral mass will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, August 14, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 861 N. Socora, Wichita 67212. Entombment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery Mausoleum.
A memorial has been established with Good Shepherd Hospice, 7829 E. Rockhill St. #403, Wichita, KS 67206.
Special thanks to Dove Estates for their tender care of Rose in her final months.
Services in care of Downing & Lahey West Mortuary.
Richie and Nancy, we are sorry for your loss. We were pleased to have met your mother (and Tony). They were a delightful couple.
June and Jerome Walburn
T-Dub & Stu, Monty & I have many good memories with you both along with Tony & Rose. Spring break in Colorado skiing, the road trip playing cards, etc. They were both so giving, easy going and fun. T-Dub, the times both sets of our parents attending sporting events at college we attended…neither of which tore down our tower.
We are blessed to have known and spent time with them and family. May the Lord bless all with peace and comfort during this time and the days forward. We love you.
Monty and Gail Ray
Thanks June & Jerome for your kind words, that’s just the way I would describe you both!😘
Rose you will be missed by many. She was such a joy to visit with. Prayers for the family.
Family of Rosemary, Hobie and I are so sorry we won’t be able to attend her services. He has an appointment conflict. She’s back with Tony and having a ball catching him up on all of you. She was a fun, fun lady and won’t be forgotten. We are so sorry for your loss. Hobie and Gail Ammerman
Thanks Hobie & Gail and yes she was ready to go be with Tony and talking his ear off!😜 She so loved the golfing group at Boeing! Lots of fun & fond memories!
Sadly, I only met Rosemary one time…at Tony’s funeral. Tony was my Boeing manager. I envision Heavenly smiles for Tony and Rosemary again.
Richie and Robin I am so sorry to hear of Rosemary’s passing. I wasn’t sure how to reach her to let her know that my mom (JoAnn Pryor) passed July 11,2024 at the age of 90. I hadn’t seen your mom since my dad passed in 2012, but still have a lot of memories and old stories of our times together. Vicky Pryor Hoffman