Mary Wagner

Mary Beth (Janke) Wagner was born on January 11th, 1952, to Robert and Muriel (Jensen) Janke in Alexandria, MN. Mary graduated in 1970 from Jefferson Senior High School and married Pat Ellingson. Together they were blessed with two children, Jeff and JD. Mary married Ron Wagner in 1992 and in 1995, they made their home on Lake Latoka. She worked at Janke Shoes, was a cosmetologist at Bethany Home, worked at the Alexandria Museum, and later in life owned The Gift and Fudge Factory in her family’s former shoe store.

Mary was an early riser, enjoying her morning coffee and reading the paper throughout various restaurants in Alexandria. She enjoyed trips with her sister Susan, Friday nights in Osakis at the VFW, and shopping for home décor. You could tell she had a knack for decorating when you walked into her warm, welcoming home. She enjoyed attending her granddaughter’s hockey and softball games with Ron. Her favorite snacks were hard licorice, Jujubes and burnt peanuts. Mary always had unique candy in the drawer for the grandkids to rummage through, including Jeff and JD. She loved Christmas with her family and often bought, but also wrapped, her own presents. She didn’t like to cook or bake and admitted that honestly. It immediately became a family joke.

Mary adored the people she spent time with, and they loved her back as seen in her final weeks at home. Mary passed away peacefully on June 25th, 2022, at her home in Alexandria at the age of 70. She is survived by her two children, Jeff (Stephanie) and JD Ellingson; seven grandchildren, Taylor (Fiancé Chad Gaikowski), McKenna (Drew Steffensmeier), Cadence, Kennedy, Brecklyn, Harper, and Titus; stepchildren, Toni (Mike) Dessinger, Tami (Matt) Floden, and Todd (Sara) Wagner; eight grandchildren, Garett (Britney) Dessinger, Grace (Nathan) Voyles, Connor and Dillon Floden, Tanner, Parker, Spencer, and Carter Wagner; great granddaughter, Ellie Dessinger. Brother, David (Kathy) Janke; sister, Susan (Tom) Pease; several nieces and nephews; and her loyal companion, Buddy.

Mary is proceeded in death by her parents, Robert and Muriel (Jensen) Janke; husband, Ron Wagner; brother, Robert Janke Jr; sister-in-law, Judy Janke; and daughter-in-law, Jill Ellingson.

The family would like to thank Knute Nelson Hospice for their loving care; aunts Susan and Kathy, along with the handful of caregivers that gave their love and support, so Mary was able to remain at home comfortably and at peace.

A visitation will be held from 5-7pm on Thursday, June 30th at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria, MN. A private family memorial burial will be held on Friday, July 1st, 2022. In lieu of flowers, memorial are preferred to Kalon Prep Academy in Alexandria, MN. www.kalonprep.org/donate/