Memorial
Gordon Wayne Wensel Sr., 84, of Osage Beach, Mo, was called home by the Lord on March 18, 2024, surrounded by his family. A visitation will be held from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM on Friday, March 29, 2024, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow the visitation and begin at 12:00 PM at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Garden of Eternal Love.
Gordon was born on May 9, 1939, in Trenton, Mo, to Floyd and Izetta Wensel. They moved to Cedar Rapids, Ia, where he attended school. Gordon joined the United States Air Force after high school and was stationed at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, as an aircraft mechanic. On April 2, 1962, He was married to the love of his life, Shirley Jean Caldemeyer. Gordon and Shirley raised their four children in Cedar Rapids, Ia. He was a lifelong member of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Cedar Rapids, Ia. Gordon worked at Universal Engineering with his father Floyd. He began a career as a charter bus driver and began working for Charter Coaches. In 1990, Gordon and Shirley moved to Camdenton, Mo, where he continued to drive charter buses until he retired at the age of 75. They moved from Camdenton to Branson, Mo, where they enjoyed supporting their eldest son’s music career and attending his shows. Gordon was passionate about several hobbies. During the spring and summer, he watched and fed the hummingbirds from his porch for hours on end. Gordon enjoyed collecting unique rocks, polishing them, and making one of kind western bolos and belt buckles. Gordon and Shirley were avid bingo players. Although Shirley did the majority of the winning and he had to split his earnings if he did win, he loved spending all his time with her. And despite Shirley’s objections, he loved riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, even making three trips to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally with his sons. Most of all, Gordon loved spending time with his family.
Gordon is survived by his son Gordon (Debbie) Wensel Jr. of Mesa, Az, Daughter Rhona (Tim) Gearhart of Camdenton, Mo, Son Geoffrey (Kyung) Wensel of Waynesville, Mo, Daughter Shelia Parnell of Terrell, Texas; Grandchildren Matthew, Amy, Jessica, and Jeremy Wensel; Great Grandchild Jayden Wensel.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents Floyd and Izetta Wensel. Wife, Shirley J. Wensel. Daughter, Joanna Wensel.
He was truly loved by family and friends and will be missed.
Memorials may be directed to the family.