Memorial
Wanda Beaird Cowger, 93, passed away peacefully at home on November 9, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. A memorial visitation will be held from 3 to 6:00 p.m., Friday, November 13 at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids.
Wanda was born on May 1, 1933, near Roscoe, Missouri, to Jessie Earl Beaird and Otha Offield Beaird. She joined an almost thirteen-year-old brother, Lauren, who did not care much for her at first. But she won him over, and after the death of their father when Wanda was four years old, Lauren became more of a father figure and her protector.
The first three years of her education were spent at the Roscoe School. Wanda's mother remarried, and the family moved near Schell City, Missouri, to the Triangle S Ranch. She attended two different country schools that year. In 1943, after a disastrous flood, the family moved to Schell City, where Wanda began fifth grade.
She graduated in 1951, second in her class, but she always said, "No big deal. There were only twelve graduates."
She attended Draughon Business College in Springfield, Missouri, where she met and married Richard Irwin. Their marriage produced two children, Rick and Charlene, but later ended in divorce.
Wanda relocated to Cedar Rapids, and in 1955 she met and married Ronald Max Cowger. He adopted Rick and Charlene and lovingly raised them as his own. Four more children were born: Ronald Jr., Donald, Carla, and Catherine (Kathi).
Over the years, Wanda worked secretarial jobs, but in 1967 she began employment at Square D Manufacturing. She retired after 28 years. Shortly after retiring, she and Ron retired to the beautiful Missouri Ozarks. 23 years later they returned to Iowa to be near family.
Wanda enjoyed traveling, reading, sewing, antiques, country decorating, and, of course, her grandkids. She and Ron were members of the Church of Christ.
She is survived by four children: Charlene (Dave) Jaeger, Ronald Cowger Jr. (Val Moore), Carla (Steve) Wimer, and Kathi (Stan) Applegate. She is also survived by seven grandsons: Jacob (Kim) Cowger, David (Marsha) Wimer, Colt (Jen) Poppe, Dustin Wimer, Branson Lilburn, James Lilburn, Alex Boulanger, and one granddaughter, Elise Boulanger, five great-grandchildren and several much-loved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald, two children, Rick and Donald, her parents and grandparents, stepfather, Roy Potter, and brother, Lauren.