Larry E. Wunderle

With his family by his side, Larry E. Wunderle, age 85, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 4, 2026, at UF Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. Larry was born in Shannon, Mississippi, on November 24, 1940, the son of the late H.O. and Mary (Parchman) Wunderle.

Larry spent his early years between his grandparents’ home in Shannon, Mississippi, and St. Louis, Missouri, where he graduated from Ferguson High School. After high school, he knew he did not want to stay on the cotton farm, so he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served overseas in Okinawa, Japan, and later at Quantico, Virginia. While stationed at Quantico, he was accepted to George Washington University, where he studied for two years before kicking off a lifelong career in information technology. He launched his career as a computer programmer and systems analyst, working on early IBM computers at NASA—an accomplishment he remained deeply proud of.

Larry carried this fascination throughout a lengthy career that began at Bussmann Fuse in St. Louis. During this time, he met the love of his life, Debbye, and they married in 1977, joining their families as one. New opportunities later took them to Racine, Wisconsin, where Larry expanded his talents at Jacobsen Textron and the family embraced life in the frigid tundra of Wisconsin. An entrepreneur through and through, Larry had the vision, creativity, and courage to pursue ideas ahead of their time, including becoming one of the initial investors in a WI local microbrewing company. Even when others doubted him, Larry pressed on with tenacity. He always loved a good challenge.

He went on to an extensive career as an IT management consultant with several Big Six consulting firms and global consulting groups. Larry’s work afforded him the opportunity to travel throughout the United States and internationally until his retirement in 2002. He continued to stay engaged in clubs with membership in the American Legion posts in Wisconsin and Florida.

Larry was a man who had a great love for the land. Growing up in Mississippi gave him an appreciation for what the land can provide—and the demanding work and care it requires to remain fruitful. With this in mind, Larry and his family spent many cherished years at his custom-built home in the backwoods of Racine, surrounded by his wife, children, grandchildren, and his beloved dog, Abby. He was known for building large bonfires by his pond—where you were promised laughter, music, friends, family, and a hose to emergently put out the fire and sparks. He loved creating trails across ten wooded acres and even built an area around his favorite tree, which he lovingly named Woodhenge. It became a gathering place where family and friends from across the country came together in celebration.

Larry was also an incredible athlete. Many may not have known it, but he excelled in basketball as a teenager and loved to play golf as an adult. He would challenge anyone to a game of “donkey,” and he enjoyed golf so much that he organized an annual tournament outing with family and friends. The outing grew each year and became a favorite summertime tradition—and the trophy proudly remains in Larry’s home office. In retirement, Larry and Debbye decided to move south during the blistery Wisconsin winter months, becoming snowbirds. He found life lively and full in The Villages, Florida, where retirees from across the country filled their days and nights with golfing, dancing, and music in the town square.

Larry was a devoted Green Bay Packers fan (even before he moved to Wisconsin), proudly showing it off with his green GB golf cart in The Villages. You could not keep Larry away from an important game—even on the day of their honeymoon, he drove Debbye through a blizzard to make it to a Packers game. Every Sunday during football season, you could find Larry in his chair, ready for kickoff. He was a man of loyalty, determination, wit, and will in all things he cared deeply about.

Larry loved his wife, children, and grandchildren with great spirit and heart. He provided quiet strength, unconditional love, and abundant moments of fun and laughter.

Larry will be dearly missed by his wife, Debbye; his children, Kelly Fehlberg (Wunderle), Jeff (Kara) Wunderle, Kiffon Keigher, and Carrie (Alastair) Cumming; his grandchildren, Brianna Fehlberg, Sam Wunderle, Madeline (Matthew) Kuzniar, and Conley Keigher; and many cousins, brothers-in-law, sister, and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Heaven is surely a little more lively with Larry’s arrival. He brought fun, pranks, and laughter to every occasion. He will be best remembered for his great love and devotion to his family.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., with a Celebration of Larry’s Life Service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Entombment with Full Military Honors to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Larry’s favorite charities: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.