Nelson L. (Wag) Wagaman (1915-2006)

WAGAMAN, POWELL, DURRIE, NELSON, MONTGOMERY, CHESMORE, WACKER, REEVES, MCCULLOUGH

Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 12/13/2006 at 18:25:12

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, December 13, 2006.

Nelson L. (Wag) Wagaman
Nov. 2, 1915-Dec. 12, 2006
Nelson L. (Wag) Wagaman, 91, of Cedar Rapids and formerly of Ames, died Tuesday, Dec. 12, at Garnett Place Retirement Community in Cedar Rapids, following a short illness. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at First United Methodist Church in Ames with Pastor Fred Lewis officiating. Interment will be in Ames Municipal Cemetery.

Nelson Lawrence Wagaman was born Nov. 2, 1915, in Hartford, Kan., the beloved son of Lawrence K. and Jennie (Powell) Wagaman. He was raised in Hartford, Kan., where he later received his high school diploma. He had served in the CCC during the Depression. He served his country honorably in the United States Army during WWII as a Sergeant. He moved to Ames in 1937, and on April 17, 1939, was united in marriage to Jeanne Durrie in Norfolk, Neb. He was employed for 43 years at the Iowa State University Memorial Union and retired in 1984 as assistant director.

He was a member and served on many boards at the First United Methodist Church of Ames. He was also a member of the Kiwanis for over 25 years, involved in the Senior Citizens Board and the Red Friars Dance Club. He greatly enjoyed the Iowa State Cyclones, oil painting, woodworking, sports and bus trips. He was often cited for his employment of handicapped persons and foreign students. He was named Boss of the Year by the Ames Jaycees, and in 1973 was given the Superior Service Award by Iowa State University. He was a very respected and loved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He will be greatly missed by those that knew and loved him.

Survivors include his loving wife of 67 years, Jeanne, of Cedar Rapids; son, Bill Wagaman, of Topeka, Kan.; daughter, Julie Nelson and husband Jeff, of Cedar Rapids; daughter-in-law, Marianne Wagaman, of Topeka, Kan.; five grandchildren, Jeffery Wagaman, of Topeka, Kan., Wendy Montgomery and husband Mike, of Decatur, Ill., Scott Nelson, of the Netherlands, Tracey Chesmore and husband Josh, of Cedar Rapids, and Sarah Wacker and husband Cason, of Center Point. Also surviving are four great-grandchildren, Chance Montgomery, Lindsey Wagaman, Caleb Chesmore and Ellie Wacker.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Merle Wagaman; and sisters, Louise Reeves and Eleanor McCullough.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at Cedar Memorial Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids.

Memorial Donations in Wag's honor may be made to New Covenant Bible Church in Cedar Rapids, St. Luke's Hospice in Cedar Rapids or to the First United Methodist Church in Ames.

Arrangements are entrusted to Cedar Memorial Funeral Home. Arrangements in Ames are being handled by Adams Funeral Home.

Please leave a message, memorial or tribute to the Wagaman family on our webpage, www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.

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