Rev. Virgil Gene Bunjer, 88, of Ankeny, formerly of Ottumwa, died at 5:10 p.m. September 2, 2022 at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines.

He was born September 19, 1933 in Parker, SD to Martin and Rose Meyer Bunjer. He married Dolores Ellen Wilcox June 22, 1954.

A graduate of Belmond High School, he attended Omaha Bible Institute and Parsons College. He was the assistant Pastor at North Court Baptist Church, served 5 years at Martinsdale Community Church and for 40 years as a missionary in Germany and Austria with Baptist Mid-Missions.

During his pastorate in Martinsdale, he met Warren & Dottie Pals, missionaries to Germany.  Having grown up with grandparents who had immigrated from North Germany, Virgil felt the call to go to Germany and serve him there.

The family moved back to Ottumwa, IA, where they were commissioned by North Court Baptist Church to serve with Baptist Mid-Missions.  In 1963, the Bunjer family caught a train from Ottumwa to New York City, and then took a boat across the Atlantic Ocean to Germany.

Virgil’s ministry was one of many transitions – serving in several small churches and church plants, stepping in for other missionaries needing to go on furlough, as well as overseeing the camp ministry at Camp Maranatha.  Through all of the different ministries, Virgil remained faithful to the Lord in serving Him.

Surviving is his wife, Dolores; two daughters, Nancy (Charles) Ellis of Ankeny and Karin Nelson of Bristow, VA; a son, Jeffrey (Alice) Bunjer of Ankeny; 8 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; and a sister, Marlene (Joe) Hanssen of Ankeny.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Theatta Bunjer Brandmeyer.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 10, 2022 at North Court Baptist Church with Pastor Roger Hemmings officiating. Burial will be in Drakesville Cemetery.

Visitation will be prior to the service at the church from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

Memorials can be sent to North Court Baptist Church, 1411 North Court St. Ottumwa, IA 52501 or Baptist Mid-Missions, PO Box 308011, Cleveland, OH 44130.

An obituary may be viewed here.

Thank you for praying for the family, and in this time of loss, rejoicing that Virgil knew Christ, and served Him faithfully.