Tribute to Ward Wonder

Ward M. Wonder was born the only child of Oscar G. and Ida Bell (Adams) Wonder on Friday, Oct. 13, 1916, in Mondamin, Iowa. He departed this life at his home in Haigler, Neb., on Nov. 1, 2006.

At the age of 1, the family traveled by train across Nebraska and settled on a farmstead just west of Haigler. Ward attended grade school in the one-room school west of town. In 1934 the family moved into town and bought the Skelley gas station. He graduated from Haigler High School in 1936 and continued on to the votech school in Greeley, Colo., to learn the trade of welding.

In December 1942, Ward joined the United States Army and was stationed at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., and served in the capacity of military police. He was honorably discharged in March 1946 with the rank of Tech Sergeant. While serving in the Army, Ward received the Victory Ribbon, the American Theater Ribbon and the Good Conduct Medal.

After being discharged, he moved back to Haigler where he helped his dad with the small family farm and began to tinker on vehicles. He had a true knack for fixing things. In the 1950s he and four or five of his friends started a band. They called themselves, "The Noisy Aces," playing for many weekend barn dances in the tri-state area of Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado. When the band was not playing, Ward could be found dancing the night away at other area dances.

He and his friend Les Adams spent many hours inventing something or getting something to work better than it did before. They were also great hunting friends.

In July 1962, Ward married Theo Ogden and they raised three wonderful children: Karla, Terrie and Lynn. He continued with his wrecker and mechanic business out of "Wonder's Garage." He always had a little time to play catch or run a footrace with one of his kids.

Ward later went to work at Palmrose Ford, the beet dump and also for Dundy County. He drove a school bus for many years and truly enjoyed the kids on his bus and the activity trips to various sports.

After his retirement, he spent his time doing light mechanic work, maybe helping out a neighbor or someone traveling through town and having mechanic problems, assisting the Haigler Fire Department and the Color Guard or playing cards with the guys at Jake's. His highlight of the week was attending the single's dances. Occasionally, someone in the group would talk Ward into singing. He would say "Oh, maybe just one tune." He loved playing the piano or the guitar at family gatherings.

He and his very good friend, Lucile Corder, spent many Sunday afternoons traveling to single's dances throughout the tri-state area. Ward truly did enjoy his simple life in Haigler.

Ward was preceded in death by his mother and father.

He is survived by his daughter Karla Parker, husband Jack and children: Dalton of Wray, Colo., Becki and family of Enon, Ohio, Kelli and family of Wray and Michael of Wray; daughter Terrie DeLorme of Wray, and his son, Lynn and wife, Nancy, and children, Darian and Riley of Greeley, Colo., Tony of Holdrege, Neb., and Matthew of North Platte, Neb. He also leaves to mourn his passing his special friend Lucile, lifelong friend Lester and many other friends.

Ward touched many lives with his humor and quick wit in his 90 years and 18 days, and will be missed by many.

Services

Services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov, 6, 2006, at the Haigler United Methodist Church in Haigler with the Rev. Terry Douglass of Yuma, Colo., a lifelong friend of the family, officiating. Ward was taken to his final resting place in a 1967 Ford pickup owned by Irv Withington. He was laid to rest in the Haigler Cemetery. Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home in Wray was in charge of arrangements.

-- Published in The Benkelman Post & News-Chronicle on Nov. 15, 2006