Lee Roy Wunderlich

Lee Roy Wunderlich, 74, of Lohman, passed away peacefully at Good Shepherd Care Center, Versailles, on December 22, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with Lewy Body dementia.
He was born August 9, 1951, in Jefferson City, a son of the late Edward "Eddie" and Mathilda (Hoffman) Wunderlich. It was in his lifelong church, St. John's Lutheran in Stringtown, where Lee Roy was introduced to God as a child, nurtured this relationship as a young adult, and was united in marriage to Brenda Marie Ruether on July 17, 1987, as a young man. Together, they raised their two beloved daughters, Jessica and Nicole, in the Lutheran faith.
Lee Roy graduated from Cole R-1 Russellville High School in 1969. He then went on to proudly serve in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, stationed in Germany as a Morse code radio operator from 1971 through his honorable discharge in 1973. He attained the rank of Specialist 4 and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and several weapons proficiency medals. After completing his service to his country, Lee Roy returned to the farm he loved and lived on his entire life and spent decades working beside his brothers at W&W Construction.
Skilled carpentry may have been his trade, and maintaining his classic Monte Carlo, mushroom hunting, and gardening his favorite pastimes, but farming was Lee Roy's lifelong love. "Butch" as he was affectionately known, was a farm boy to his core. From his farm-strong work ethic and having the table set in anticipation of a traditional meat, potato and vegetable dinner - just the way he liked it - to his favorite farm-inspired word "bulls " and teaching his daughters to pick beans, shuck corn, call in cattle and drive a tractor, he was at his happiest working the family farm that shaped the person he became. Sharing the farm with his wife, daughters, grandchildren, and beloved dogs Lady, Jake, and Luke, made his joy complete.
Humble by nature, Lee Roy had a hidden talent for drawing, loved chocolate peanut clusters and listening to his children and grandkids sing, enjoyed traveling to Branson to take in a live show, and adhered to a strict routine when it came time to barbecue. Butch could often be heard saying "I'm just being realistic" as he sat under the shade tree in his backyard after a dawn to dusk day of farming, and, on the rare occasion, he could surprise everyone and belt out "Ring of Fire" like a seasoned pro on a karaoke machine. Lee Roy's life was rooted in love, routine, and quiet devotion - values that will live on in his family.
Equal to his love of the Lord and his family farm was Lee Roy's commitment to provide for his family. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Brenda; daughters, Jessica Snyder (fiancé, Brett Bergman) and Nicole Brewer (partner Bryan Klempke); grandchildren, Alaina and Jace Snyder, Maddie and Brooks Bergman, Bentley Brewer, and Bodie Klempke; sister, Linda Hart; sisters - and brothers – in - law Carol Wunderlich, Karen and David Phillips, Pam and Bruce Jordanger, Donald and Patty Ruether, and Gary and Cindy Ruether; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends. In addition to his loving parents, Lee Roy was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert, Alvin, and Larry; sister, Rosemarie Lewis; and brothers-in-law, Bill Hart and Wayne Koestner.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 27, 2025, at St. John's Lutheran Church Lohman.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 am at St. John's Lutheran Church - Lohman with the Reverend Brian Whittle officiating. Graveside services and military honors will follow at St. John's Lutheran Church Cemetery - Lohman.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. John's Lutheran Church-Lohman, 4420 Stringtown Rd, Lohman, Mo., 65053, or Lewy Body Dementia Resource Center, 28 Highwood Drive, Northport, NY., 11768.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary.