Rochelle

Laura Mae Bunger,100, passed away Sunday, February 1, 2026, at Manor Court in Rochelle, Illinois. Laura was born on April 3,1925 , to Joel H. and Helena (Polzin) Simmons near White, South Dakota. She moved to Illinois with her family in 1928, finally settling in Rochelle in 1929. She married Arthur James Bunger from Kings on October 31,1942, in Rochelle at the German Lutheran Church.

Laura worked at several places over the years, the Beacon Restaurant, Rochelle Motel restaurant, Rochelle State Bank and then at the Rochelle Community Hospital for over 25 years. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Rochelle and the V.F.W. Auxiliary Post 3878.

Laura loved her family both immediate and extended and enjoyed family reunions and holiday dinners with everyone sitting around one table, even if that table was the ping pong table in the rec room. She mailed greeting cards to family and friends which included handwritten letters for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, “get well” and just plain “thinking of you”. For many years, she volunteered several times a month at the Presbyterian Thrift Shop and had a good word to say about everyone. She took sewing, quilting and ceramics classes, mostly for the camaraderie the classes offered. Laura was very adventurous trying different activities such as white water rafting down the Snake River out west. Her motto was "I'll try anything once, twice if I like it." The next year, she took a second shot at the Snake River adventure. Later in life, she took to cruising and enjoyed it into her 80's. Laura will be missed by many.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded by her husband, Jim Bunger in 2002; five brothers: Charles, Roy, John, Frank and an infant brother and two sisters: Avis Buesteton and Mary Krahenbuhl.

Laura is survived by her four children: Ronald (Patricia) Bunger of Prosper, TX, David Bunger of Rochelle, Rebecca (Ray, deceased) Cockrum of Siler City, NC and Beverly (Richard) Hammel of Maryville, TN; five grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

The visitation will be from 4:00 - 6:00 P.M., Monday, February 9, 2026, at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. 6th St., Rochelle. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M., Tuesday, February 10 at the funeral home with Pastor Xavier Valdivieso officiating. Burial will follow at Lawnridge Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Serenity Hospice and Home, First Presbyterian Church of Rochelle or Rochelle Senior Center for their transportation/bus program. Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.