In Memory of Wanita Muriel Oswalt

Wanita Muriel (Deel) Oswalt, age 87, of Urbandale, Iowa, passed away on Friday, May 23, 2025, at the Trinity Reginal Medical Center in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

A Private Family Graveside Service was held in the Cook Township Cemetery of rural Schaller, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Wanita Muriel (Deel) Oswalt, the daughter of Jacob and Sylvia (Drake) Deel, was born on December 20, 1937, in French Lick, Indiana. She grew up in Charlestown, Indiana and graduated from the local high school with the class of 1955.

On August 26, 1955, Wanita was united in marriage to James E. Markham in Charlestown at her parents’ home. The couple were blessed with two children Cynthia and Gerald.

On June 1, 1984, Wanita married William B. Oswalt in the little Brown Church in Nashua, IA.

Wanita is survived by her daughter Cynthia Lynne (Jeff) McDonough of Odebolt, IA; daughter-in-law June Markham of Overland Park, KS; grandchildren: Dustin (Kim) McDonough of Ames, IA, Holly (Steve) Jones of Oostberg, WI, and Jacob Markham of Overland Park, KS; great grandchildren George Jones and Maeva Jones; sister Carol Gabbard of Charlestown, IN; extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband William Oswalt; ex-husband James E. Markham; son Gerald Edward Markham; and sisters Doris Sue Robinson and Jeannie Louise High.