Brenda Gail Wunderlich

Brenda Gail Wunderlich (Grimm), 69, of Independence, Missouri passed away Sunday morning, October 11th, 2020 in the presence of her loving family at St. Luke’s Hospice House after many years battling COPD. A Memorial Gathering will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2020 from 2:00 P.M. -3:00 P.M. at Heartland Cremation & Burial Society, 6113 Blue Ridge Blvd., Raytown, Missouri. You may watch a livestream of the service by clicking the following link:  Brenda Gail Wunderlich live stream

She was born in Kansas City, Missouri on April 2, 1951 and raised from birth by her great-aunt, Virginia Haney, or ‘momma’ as she would affectionately call her throughout her life. She was the second oldest of siblings Larry, Marty, and Vanessa and resided in and around the Kansas City metropolitan area most of her life, aside from a short time spent in Clinton, MO. She attended Raytown High School and soon after high school, began working hard to create a life of her own.  

In her early 20’s, she began working at the Rival manufacturing plant and would commute from Kansas City to Clinton and back each day. As a young adult, she understood good jobs were hard to come by and knew this could help forge her path to independence and help build a life of her own.  

She met the love of her life, Marck, in the late 70’s and their courtship was beautifully sweet. They had one child together, Chrissy, in March of 1983 and were married in January of 1989. Their love was truly one for the ages. Her husband and daughter were the absolute loves of her life. 

Brenda worked a few different jobs during the 80’s and 90’s, ranging from factory to retail work, though her proudest job might have been that of a stay-at-home mom for much of her daughter’s youth. She enjoyed her time spent volunteering in numerous capacities during her daughter’s school years and loved the bond this cultivated with her. Their relationship grew beyond that of just mother and daughter; they became best friends. The two enjoyed spending summers at the pool, local amusement parks and shopping, though only once the housework was done, as Brenda loved a clean and organized home. Friday’s were always house-cleaning day, though they would always try their best to finish up early in order to squeeze in some late-afternoon pool time. 

Once her daughter was older, Brenda returned to work for Mawd Pathology Group, where she met some of her dearest and closest friends. She would also come home with some of the craziest and most bizarre stories – which was always fun for her family!

Beyond her family, Brenda’s second love was animals. Having spent her childhood on a small farm, this is no surprise. Be it a family pet or a chance encounter with an animal in nature, she loved them all. In passing, Brenda was reunited with former pets Peanut, Bosco, Izzy and Bob, as well as many that came before them. 

In addition to those beautiful summer days alongside her family spent at pools and amusement parks, she enjoyed cruising around Blue Springs Lake on the neighbor’s pontoon, playing Texas Hold ‘Em Poker, checking out local car shows, watching drag races, gambling away on the penny slots at her favorite casino, bargain shopping with her daughter, stopping by garage sales, loving on her pets and playing practical jokes on family and friends.

Despite her own battles with depression and anxiety which sometimes got the best of her, she never once stopped loving on, caring for and worrying about those she held closest in life. She will be remembered for her contagious smile and infectious laughter, her beauty, her fierce loyalty to loved ones, her caring and nurturing spirit, her clean and tidy home, her love of music and animals, her style, and for her hard work and determination to make a great life for herself and her family.

She was preceded in death by her “momma” Virginia Haney, brother Larry Wall, and sister Vanessa Miller. Her surviving loved ones include husband Marck Wunderlich, daughter Chrissy Wunderlich (Jason), brother Martin Grimm (Cathy), special sister-in-law/caregiver Anne Parker, along with many extended family and friends who love her dearly. 

We love you, Momma Bear, and cannot wait until the day we are reunited.

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