IMOGENE E. WAGNER

Imogene E. Wagner, 88, passed away Sunday, March 22, 2015 at her home at The Pines in Hiawatha, KS. She was born Sept. 25, 1926 in Grundy County, MO.

She grew up in Trenton, MO, and graduated from Trenton High School in 1944. As a young girl, Imogene worked babysitting, she also clerked  at the local “5 and dime” store and was privileged  to have  worked  for the famous saddle maker Monroe Veach. She has remained lifelong friends Monroe Veach’s daughter for over 60 years. She loved to dance to Big Band music and still loved listening to it after her dancing days were over. She met her future husband while out dancing.

She married James T. Wagner on Feb. 10, 1946 when he returned from WWII. They were married 46 years before he passed in 1992. They lived in Illinois prior to moving to Hamlin, KS, where they lived many years before relocating to Lincoln because of her husband’s work. They moved back to Hamlin in the 1980’s after retirement and spent many hours fishing the local spots in and around Brown County. Imogene remained in Hamlin after Jim died, until moving to Hiawatha in 1996 and enjoyed living there until her passing.

After her husband’s death, Imogene enjoyed traveling to many places with her niece Patricia Reger. She was always ready to pack a bag for an adventure with Pat. Her last trip was a trip to Maine with her daughter Peggy and granddaughters Coleen and Jessica in 2011. She walked in both oceans in her 80’s and lived life to the fullest every day that she could. She was a kind and loving mother, grandmother, aunt and life-long friend to many. She was always supportative of her family and grateful for her good health that enabled her to do so much in her later years. Her motto was “I will not live my life with any regrets.”

When her health did fail, she spent her last year living peacefully at The Pines in Hiawatha, where she had a loving family atmosphere of care until her death. She instilled her values in her family and they hope to continue her legacy of living life to the fullest with no regrets.

Surviving Imogene are her three daughters: Jean (Dennis) Sweezey, of Cameron, MO, Susan (Chuck) Smith, of Falls City, and Peggy Moyer, of Hiawatha; six grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Numerous  nieces and nephews that were all special to her.  

The family will meet with friends from 1-2 p.m. Friday at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha, with Pastor Rich Lehmkuhl officiating, followed by the procession to Hamlin Cemetery for graveside services. Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society or a charity of the donar’s choice which may be sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., 66434. A special message may be sent to the family at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com