Lowell Bunger Obituary

Lowell Bunger, 83, of Grinnell, died at his home in Grinnell on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at the Grinnell United Methodist Church. A luncheon will follow the service in the Friendship Center of the church. Interment will be held at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell.
His family will receive friends at the visitation held from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to the Grinnell Rotary Scholarship Fund or to the Grinnell United Methodist Church and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Condolences may be shared with his family online at www.smithfh.com.
Lowell Adam Bunger was born May 25, 1942, on the family farm near Ashton, Illinois, to William Frederick Bunger and Helen Martha (Pfeiffer) Bunger. He graduated from Ashton High School, attended Rock Valley College, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business from Upper Iowa University. On November 8, 1970, he married Suzanne Caughey at the Grinnell United Methodist Church.
Lowell began his career in Rockford, Illinois, and in 1975 moved to Galesburg, Illinois, to work in the corn seed industry as a territory manager for Cargill. In 1981 he and Suzanne returned to Grinnell. Lowell worked briefly for Agri Service Construction, then returned to Cargill, and later joined DeKalb/Monsanto, from which he retired in 2002.
A devoted volunteer, Lowell gave generously of his time at Grinnell United Methodist Church and served as a mentor with LINK. He was an active member of the Grinnell Rotary Club and served as club president. He loved travel, especially visits to Europe and Italy, and he treasured family life above all.
Lowell considered his greatest achievement the adoption of Joshua and Katie into his family. He lived by the Golden Rule taught to him by his mother, treating everyone with fairness and kindness. He will be remembered for his steady generosity, his commitment to community, and the quiet dignity with which he lived his life.
Lowell is survived by his wife of 54 years, Suzanne Bunger of Grinnell; son, Joshua (Jenna) Bunger of Poolesville, Maryland and their children, Ethan, Astrid and Jonas Bunger; daughter, Katie (Kevin Castro) Bunger of Washington, DC and their children, Grace, Charlie, and Camden Castro; brother, Gary (Beverly) Bunger of Ashton, Illinois; sister, Norene (Larry Hageman) Bunger of Rochelle, Illinois; and sister-in-law, Glenda Bunger of Rockford, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Warren Bunger; and sister, Myrna Bunger.
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