Harry Alvin Wagoner (2021)

FINLEY, GALLOWAY, HANNER, RUSSOM, SHAUL, STONEHOCKER, WADDLE, WAGONER, WINCHESTER

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:02:58

Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home
Nevada, Iowa

Harry Alvin Wagoner, 79 of Nevada, died Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines from complications of heart bypass surgery.

Harry was born at his grandmother’s house in Stuart, IA, on November 19, 1941, to Eleanor (nee Stonehocker) and George Wagoner, joining his older sister Kathryn. He grew up in Valley Junction West Des Moines and graduated from Valley High School in 1960. In December 1961 he enlisted with the US Navy and served on the USS Fort Mandan through April 1966 when he was honorably discharged.

Harry married Phyllis Hanner on June 7, 1964. They moved to Earlham, IA, in 1967, and lived there until 2002 when they retired and moved to their much-loved lake home outside of Aitkin, MN. In the summer of 2018 they moved to Nevada, IA. Harry’s work career was in manufacturing, fabricating and safety/maintenance. His personal life was much more colorful and where he truly flourished and made a difference in the world.

From the time he was a boy he enjoyed fishing and though his life spent a lot of time on the water and sharing his love of fishing with his family and friends. He was a founding member of the “Iowa Pro Team.”

Old-time fiddle music and Bluegrass were a passion, and he was an accomplished fiddler. He competed in and won fiddle contests all over Iowa and the Midwest, often with Phyllis as his guitar accompanist. He learned by ear and could not read music but could play anything with strings. For a while he made fiddles in the basement of his home. He was in a number of Bluegrass bands and even shared the stage with some Bluegrass greats.

Harry had a lifelong passion for rocks and minerals, and he corresponded and traded with rockhounds, geologists and mineralogists all over the US and around the world. He collected specimens from mines, caves and anywhere he could pick up or chisel out a rock. He donated specimens to the Smithsonian Institution which are still in their collections. He and Phyllis were lifetime members of the Cuyuna Rock, Gem and Mineral Society (MN) where he served as president for a number of years. He was an educator and mentor, and helped organize the annual rock show, and he was the first Rock Wizard – answering questions and identifying specimens to the awe and delight of every child who loved their rock treasures.

Other hobbies throughout his life included gardening, writing, Native American studies, beadwork, flint-knapping, aquariums, leatherwork, miniature railroads, metalwork, and collecting and raising cactus. After retirement Harry developed a keen interest in cooking and specialized in Chinese food recipes where he perfected the art of combining and reverse-engineering recipes.

Through all these interests and more, Harry’s greatest adventure was sharing it all with his family – Phyllis, through 54 years, children Faith, Tracy and Wesly, and six grandchildren.

Harry was preceded in death by his beloved wife Phyllis. He is survived by his sister, Kathryn (Richard) Finley; children Faith (Mike) Winchester, Tracy (David) Galloway, and Wes Wagoner; grandchildren Faris (Brandon) Russom, Sidney (Colin) Shaul, Jacob Waddle, Carson Waddle, Hunter Wagoner, and Riona Wagoner; and two great grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life for both Harry and Phyllis on Saturday May 15, 2021, at the First Congregational Church of Stuart, IA, 12:00-4:00pm with program at 1:00.

Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada is handling arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at rasmussonfh.com