Wander, Craig 'Motorcat' Phillip

Craig “Motorcat” Phillip Wander, 59, of Marion, formerly of Castalia, died Aug. 14, 2012, at home after a short battle with cancer. The family will greet friends from 4 until 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion, with a Celebration of Life beginning at 6:30 p.m. An additional Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at Zion Lutheran Church, Castalia, by the Rev. David Lenth. Inurnment: Pleasant View Cemetery, Castalia.

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 and Allison; and many treasured cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cleora (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.

Craig, the son of Cleora (Schmidt) and Phillip Wander, was born Nov. 13, 1952, in Decorah, Iowa. 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 on July 29, 1978, in Elgin, Iowa. He worked for Radio Shack for 35 years as a trusted and respected manager. He “retired” and worked a 40-hour workweek 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.”

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Craig's memory.

Please sign the online guest book for Craig at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Published Aug. 16, 2012 in The Gazette