Obituary of Roger E. Wagner
Roger E. Wagner. age 78, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away on Monday, August 7, 2017, at Aspirus Riverview Hospital.
Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, August 11, 2017, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. Timothy Wenger will officiate. Burial, with military honors, will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:30 A.M. until the time of services, on Friday at the church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.taylorfuneralhome.net.
Roger was born on January 3, 1939, in Libertyville, IL, to Raymond and Ethel (Stelling) Wagner. He was educated at St. Mary’s Grade School in Buffalo Grove, IL, and Ela Vernon High School in Lake Zurich, IL. Roger honorably served his country in the U.S. Navy and continued serving in the reserves. He worked for North Shore Gas Company and All State Insurance Company, while living in Illinois. Upon moving to Wisconsin, he worked for the Wisconsin Rapids School District and at Complete Control. On September 17, 1973, Roger married Shirley Thompson. They were blessed with 14 years of marriage, until her death in August of 1987. Roger found love and friendship once again when he married Shirley (Bestul) Plowman on September 17, 1988. They enjoyed 29 years of companionship.
Roger loved hunting, rifle shooting, camping, drag racing (in his younger years), and doing cross word puzzles. He was a life-long member of the NRA. Roger enjoyed being a member of the Wood County Gun & Rifle Club. Roger was a long-time member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, where he actively participated in the Veterans of the Cross, ushered, and performed maintenance.
Roger is survived by his wife, Shirley; step-children: Craig (Gail) Plowman, Randy (Dixie) Plowman, Brenda (Dale Elwert) Winn, Rev. Paul (Robin) Plowman, John (Katie Pritzlaff) Plowman, Christopher Plowman, and Tab (Freddie) Thompson; step-grandchildren: Jason (Sheila) Plowman, Sarah (Joseph) Parrish, Adam (Jacqueline) Plowman, Alesha (Mike Zolinski) Plowman, Travis (Heidi) Plowman, Nick (Renee) Winn, Jessica (Andy Jorganson)Winn, Mitchel (Alana) Winn, James (Erica) Plowman, David (Jennifer Dobson) Plowman, Jon (Amber) Plowman, Rachel Plowman, Jacob Plowman, Jesse Plowman, Tommy Plowman, Connor Pritzlaff, Elizabeth Plowman, Keturah Plowman, Isaac Plowman, Dustin (Joellen) Henke, Shawna Thompson, Andy (Ann) Hoogesteger, and Charlie (Mandy) Hoogesteger; 11 step-great-grandchildren; sister, Rita Anderson; brothers, Ronald Wagner, Ralph Wagner, and Richard (Connie) Wagner; he is further survived by many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife; step-daughter, Debra Thompson; step-grandson, Andy Plowman; and sister-in-law, Jan Wagner.
Memorials may be designated to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church or Gundersen Health System’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in LaCrosse.
