Elisabeth (Els) Maria Janssens Wunder (1937–2025)

Els Wunder—a/k/a "Mudder" and "Omie"—of Towson, Maryland, passed away peacefully on Monday afternoon, December 8, 2025, at age 88.

Her birth was not expected. On July 12, 1937, at home in Boxtel, Netherlands Josephine (Fien) and Johannes (Jan) Janssens welcomed a son, Tom, only to realize that another child, a twin, was on the way. Jan quickly dispatched another son to purchase a crib and baby set. She was born into a family of woolen textile manufacturers as the fourth daughter and tenth child in a family that would grow to fourteen children.

Her early years were deeply impacted by the 1940 German invasion and occupation of the Netherlands.  Her family home on a major north-south artery witnessed the movement of troops and supplies. For a short period it was commandeered as a German military headquarters, and the family was relegated to living in the basement. During the Allies' Operation Market Garden in 1944, she watched the retreat of German troops and arrival of liberating Scottish and British troops. The British used the Janssens' home as a field hospital for a time.

Sponsored by her brother Paul, in 1962 she emigrated to the United States as an au pair for the Stieff family of Baltimore. It was Charles Stieff who introduced her to Charlie Wunder, and after a short courtship the two traveled to the Netherlands and were wed in Boxtel. On returning to Baltimore they set about starting a family and welcomed five children in eight years.  She thrived as a mother, fostering a loving family and spending lots of time with both her children and her grandchildren, who knew her as Omie.

Ever candid and self-reliant from her Dutch upbringing, she knew who she was--the first person up in the morning, ready to meet the day with vigorous walks to take in the beauty of nature. Throughout her life she was sustained by her faith in the Lord. Famously, if something was lost, she would call upon St. Anthony—and, to her children's surprise, things would work out. Her travels saw her return to the Netherlands and venture to Canada, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Beijing, Caribbean Islands, and Maine.

After raising her family, she worked at Smyth Jewelers in Timonium, Maryland. Later in life she found companionship in Richard Blanchard, owner of the Boardwalk Five & Dime in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where she spent many summers exploring the seashore beaches, especially the Point at Cape Henlopen. She made countless friends along her journey, including Bill Wernecke at Pickersgill where she was supported by a caring staff for which the family is ever grateful.

Els is survived by her children and their spouses: Steven Wunder and Rod Hastie, Michael and Lisa Wunder, Susan Wunder and Dale Hamilton, Jennifer and Tod Childress, and David and Kara Wunder. She is the beloved Omie of Bridgette, Emily, and Megan Wunder, Riley and Royce Childress, and Caroline Wunder. She is also survived by four siblings: Paul Janssens of Connecticut, Edward Janssens of Quebec, Mijntje Janssens-Nollen, and Henk Janssens of the Netherlands, and relatives across the globe.

A Requiem Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Saint Joseph's Parish at 100 Church Lane, Cockeysville, Maryland 21030. All are welcome to attend. For those who can not attend but would like to view the livestream below:

To view the livestream of the January 3 Funeral Liturgy go to the parish website https://www.sjpmd.org/

At top of homepage click 'Liturgy and Music', then click from drop-down 'Funerals'.

There you will find the funeral listed.

At least 24 hours before the Mass, a button 'Livestream Here' will appear next to this listing.

Click that for viewing at the time of the Liturgy.

Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to:

St. Joseph Parish, Cockeysville Maryland https://sjpmd.org/giving-1

or to Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park https://www.fochsp.org/donate

Please share online condolences with the family by signing her guestbook through www.peacefulalternatives.com.