Shirley Wagner

Shirley Mae Wagner, the daughter of George and Helma (Itella) Little, was born on October 8, 1936 in Glenwood, MN.  She attended grade school and helped her parents at home.  At the age of 16, Shirley met the love of her life, Roger Wagner.  They were united in marriage on November 24, 1952 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria.  They were blessed with five children, Don, Deborah, Bob, Steven, and Jim.  Together they lived on farm near Evansville, MN.  Shirley took care of the household duties and also helped Roger on the farm.

Shirley was a loving wife, who was always by Roger’s side.  Together they enjoyed spending winters in the south since 1977.  They made many friends in Apache Junction, Arizona where they belonged to card clubs and the Catholic Church.   Shirley loved looking at the mountains around the Valley, especially the Superstition Mountain which she could see from her home.  Shirley loved her family very much.  She cared for her children and grandchildren with a tender heart and a loving touch.   She will be remembered for her excellent cooking and baking, making quilts and ceramics, gardening, and definitely shopping, especially for shoes.  She will be missed by those who knew and loved her.

Shirley Mae Wagner died on Thursday, January 18, 2018 after a short battle with cancer, at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, AZ at the age of 81 years old.  She is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Roger Wagner of Brandon; children, Don (Jan) Wagner of Brandon, Deborah (Kevin) Frisk of Alexandria, Bob (Jackie) Wagner of Brandon, and Jim (Jill) Wagner of Brandon; eleven grandchildren, April Burmeister, Shawn Wagner, Heidi Ritten, Angie Mahlberg, Justin Wagner, Jared Wagner, Jordan Wagner, Miranda Henneman, Vanessa Koep, Evan Wagner, and Stephanie Wagner; 14 great grandchildren; sisters, Gloria Brede of Alexandria and Gail Duncan and her husband Jim Smith of Brandon; brother, George Jr. “Doogie”(Kathy) Little of Alexandria  numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her parents, son, Steven Wagner, and a grandchild Amberly Wagner.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 11:30 AM at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Brandon, MN.  Interment will be in the church cemetery.  Casket Bearers are Shawn Wagner, Justin Wagner, Jordan Wagner, Jared Wagner, Evan Wagner, and Matthew Henneman.  Honorary Casket Bearers are all of Shirley’s granddaughters, April Burmeister, Heidi Ritten, Angie Mahlberg, Miranda Henneman, Vanessa Koep, and Stephanie Wagner.

Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. www.andersonfuneral.net