Obituary of Roselyn Wenman

Roselyn M Wenman, age 93, long time Iowa City resident died July, 2, 2025, at Sterlingshire Memory care in Coralville Iowa.

Rose was born in Iowa City, IA to John and Susie (Mann) Graham on Sept. 21, 1931.  She graduated from City High School in 1949. Rose met her beloved husband, Herman Wenman while in high school. On January 23, 1948, Rose married Herman Wenman in the First United Methodist Church, Iowa City. Rose and Herman celebrated 70 years of life together.

Rose began working at the University of Iowa Department of Physics and Astronomy in 1962. She became a NASA certified soldier and in time became the Supervisor of Technical Services there for 26 years.  During this time, the space flight research programs of the University achieved international fame and recognition.  Rose personally performed the intricate hand-wiring and soldering of many of the flight instruments, including five University of Iowa spacecraft and a number of major space missions.  No instrument package or any space flight instrument at the University ever failed to perform during this time and all of the electronics for them were either assembled by Rose or were under her direction.  In total, Rose worked on 48 missions from 1962 to 1991.

After her retirement in 1991 Rose and her husband enjoyed traveling in their RV to Arizona and Florida for several years.  She also enjoyed motorcycle riding with Herman and tending to her home, flowers and garden.  Rose continued to use her soldering skills in the development of the Iowa Foil Printer which was designed, perfected and patented by her son, Daniel L. Wenman.  Rose and Professor Virginia Myers were friends for years as Virginia perfected the art of hot-stamped foil.

Survivors include her children, Daniel (Diane) Wenman of North Liberty, daughter, Donna Swenka of Springfield, MO., and Mark (Deborah Forbes) Wenman of Robins; 9 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.

She is proceeded in death by her husband and her parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in her honor to Suncrest Hospice of Cedar Rapids.