Marguerite Yvonne Wunderli

Marguerite Yvonne Wunderli passed away peacefully February 16, 2026, shortly after midnight in Oklahoma City. She had recently celebrated her 81st birthday. Born January 29, 1945, she spent her toddler years as the only child surrounded by loving parents and several doting aunts in Los Angeles, California. She grew up in Pomona, California, where she attended elementary and high school.

Marguerite had a spirit of curiosity and wanderlust that became evident in her early adult years. She lived in many places from Oklahoma to Hawaii, Colorado, Germany, Texas, California, Arizona, and back to Oklahoma. Her varied careers reflected a wide range of interests. Marguerite had been an electronics assembler, cocktail waitress, Gogo dancer, beautician, and dog groomer to mention a few. She dabbled in many forms of art such as glass blowing, ceramics, lace making, jewelry making—especially earrings, which led to her interest in gemstones—and watercolor, acrylic, and oil painting. She loved bright colors, especially purple, exhibiting them in her makeup, clothing, artwork, items she crocheted, and flowers she planted.

Marguerite was an avid reader. She loved books ranging from murder mysteries to philosophy. She subscribed to magazines such as National Geographic, Archeology, and Smithsonian, and read them from cover to cover. It’s not surprising that when she proudly earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, after many starts and stops, it was in Liberal Studies.

Music was an integral part of Marguerite’s life. She loved Gregorian Chant and classical music. Now Hear This on PBS was one of her favorite programs. Learning to play musical instruments was a lifelong pursuit—not just familiar instruments, such as the piano, violin, and guitar, but also international favorites like bagpipes and the didgeridoo.

Above all, Marguerite loved animals. Over the years, she kept bees, a ferret, a parrot, pigs, and many cats and dogs. Her heart always had room for the critters who brought her great companionship.

Marguerite is survived by her sister Alfredine (Wunderli) and brother-in-law Jerome Slaby of Missouri, her niece Hope (Slaby) and nephew-in-law Tyler Harms of Kansas, and many cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents, Theodore and Denise (Vernay) Wunderli.

Following Marguerite’s wishes, she will be cremated without a memorial service. Her ashes will be interred in Missouri near family. Those who wish to honor Marguerite’s life may donate to the Oklahoma Humane Society (https://okhumane.org) or OKC’s Safe Haven Animal Rescue (https://www.safehavenanimalrescue.org) in her memory.