Marguerite Wagner, 95, of Clarion, passed away Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at
Clarion Wellness and Rehabilitation.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at
Holmes Lutheran Church, 2139 Hancock Avenue, rural Clarion with Pastor George
Lautner and Stan Watne officiating. Burial will be in Holmes Lutheran Church
Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM prior to services on Wednesday
at the church.
The family wishes are that memorials be made to St. Croix Hospice, but can be
designated to any that you may choose in Marguerite's memory.
Marguerite Shirlyn Wagner was born December 11, 1927, to Oscar and Ellen
(Anfinson) Egemo on their farm north of Holmes. Due to a snow storm the doctor
could not make it, so her dad hitched up the horses to the bobsled and went five
miles to get Aunt Sarah Wierson to help bring Marguerite into the world.
Marguerite was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran rural Kanawha. She
graduated from Clarion High School.
Marguerite lost her mother when she was 13 and then had to help her dad with her
two younger brothers, Robert (died in 2020) and Charles (died in 2015). Her
mother's favorite Bible verse was Ephesians 4:32. Marguerite lived this every
day. "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted forgiving one another, just as
Christ forgave you".
On June 7. 1946, she was united in marriage to Everett Wagner at the Little
Brown Church. Their farming life began immediately. Everett had to cultivate
corn the day after their wedding!
They always felt blessed with their family with their four children. Marcia
Sundet (Bruce, Algona), Ed (Sherry, Dakota City), Jim (Webster City), and Monica
Staudt (Pat, Clarion). Six grandsons came along and then the "greats":
Lillian, Chloe, Cora, Sasha, Faith, Laney, and Colin Sundet and Keegan and
Paisley Staudt with two more Staudt babies in 2024! Marguerite couldn't wait to
share this "secret" with others. Marguerite and Everett had nearly 61 years of
marriage.
Marguerite loved to bake, but most of all, she loved to share! Kringla,
butterhorn rolls, dipped chocolates, and blarney stones were among the
favorites. And, of course, chocolate chip cookies that were always delivered to
the six grandsons (Scott, Mark, and Stacy Sundet and Dan, Ryan, and Chris
Staudt) in ice cream buckets!
Marguerite loved being able to raise her family on the farm. From saving baby
calves, feeding meals and lunches to farmers, gardening, and canning, and
promoting beef through the Cowbelles organization Marguerite loved to visit
with and judge future farmers with their bucket calves at the fair, and she even
addressed a Washington DC congressional committee during the farm crisis in the
80's. She kept busy always helping and encouraging all ages.
Faith, friends, and community were special to Marguerite. She was active in
Holmes Lutheran, with teaching Sunday school, participating in Home Circle,
sewing circle, and even being the first female deacon. Marguerite belonged to
Christian Women's Club as well as multiple clubs for local women, including her
neighborhood birthday club with longtime friends. Marguerite always enjoyed
history and her memory was great! She spent hours organizing the history of
Holmes Lutheran and helping the Holmes Cemetery Association when it was
necessary to update information of all those buried in the cemetery. She loved
getting to help with Monica's Haiti mission trips by sewing more than 500 baby
blankets.
When Everett passed in 2007, she moved to The Meadows Senior Living apartments
in Clarion. She was there for 16 years and belonged to the hospital auxiliary,
and worked as a greeter at the hospital, and helped in the gift shops. She
participated in all evening games at the Meadows and often set up for these.
This past year she moved to the Meadows Assisted Living and then to Clarion
Rehab and Wellness where she passed at noon Tuesday, November 7, 2023. The
family is very thankful for St. Croix Hospice as well as family and friends for
lots of love and support.