Wagner, Urban Leander -- 1919 - 2010

HOUDEK, WAGNER, DAHLSTROM, GIBSON

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 7/6/2010 at 09:04:32

Urban L. Wagner, 91, of Waukon died Saturday, May 22, 2010 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 27 at 11 a.m. at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, with Rev. Lynn G. Groe officiating. Burial of ashes with military rites will be at Oakland Cemetery in Waukon. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 26 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.
Urban Leander Wagner was born April 23, 1919 on the rural Ft. Atkinson farm of his parents, Phillip Henry and Julia Ruth (Houdek) Wagner. He attended school at Ft. Atkinson, where his father later became chief of police. Urban was inducted into the U.S. Army March 18, 1942 during WWII. He fought in battles from North Africa to Italy and finally on to Germany. He was discharged October 20, 1945, receiving many awards, including four Bronze Stars. March 22, 1947 he married Helen Dahlstrom. They were divorced in 1991. Following his discharge, Urban worked for John Deere in Dubuque and for a Chevrolet dealer in Elkader. In 1956 he moved to Waukon, where he worked for Midland Equity Co-op for many years. He drove a bulk feed truck and put on nitrogen in the summer, giving him a chance to know many of the local farmers and become good friends with them. Later he worked for Duffy’s Feed managing the chicken and egg operation, and in his late 60s had a can milk route for Ludlow Creamery. After the creamery he did farm work for Quandahl Farms into his mid-80s. He was a very independent man and still lived in his own home.
Urban spent time hunting, fishing, dancing, playing cards, and watching classic television shows. In later years he enjoyed daily visits over coffee with his friends at the local Hardee's Restaurant and regular trips to his son David’s acreage where he picked hazelnuts. He also liked taking drives in the countryside and spending time with his grand and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include his son, David (Wynn) of Frankville; two grandsons, David, Jr. (Patty) of Ridgeway and Brian of Waukon; three great-grandsons, Brandyn and Seth Wagner and Ryan Berg; and a sister, Viola Gibson of Pembroke Pines, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Paul, who died in 1997.

Waukon, Iowa newspaper, THE STANDARD, May 26, 2010.

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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