John T. Wagner (1862-1947)

FISHER, HAYNES, KNUTSON, MOEN, VAAGEN, WAGNER, WALKER

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:42

May 10, 1862 --- December 9, 1947

John Wagner, 87, died at the home of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Knutson Tuesday evening about 6 o'clock. Mr. Wagner's death was sudden and unexpected, as he had been up and around the home during the day, and only a short time before his death had gone to his room. When Mrs. Knutson called him to come to the evening meal, she found that he had slept quietly away. He is survived by four daughters and two sons, Mrs. Chas. Moen of Fort Dodge, Mrs. Howard Haynes of California, Mrs. Knutson, Mrs. Norman Fisher, Amos Wagner of Eagle Grove and Thomas Wagner of Webster City.

Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at one o'clock at the Kastler Funeral Home, and 2 o'clock from the Holmes Lutheran church. Rev. H. C. Bakken will be in charge.

Mrs. Haynes will arrive early Friday morning from San Diego to be present for her father’s funeral.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
December 11, 1947

John T. Wagner, son of Torres and Gjertro Vaagen, was born in Olen, Norway, May 10, 1862. He passed away at the home of his daughter in Eagle Grove, Iowa on December 9, 1947, at the age of 85 years, 6 months and 29 days.

He was baptized and confirmed in Norway. He also received his education in Norway. At the age of eighteen he came to America and for a short time lived in Story County, Iowa. Two years after coming to America he came to Wright County where he engaged in farming. On January 10, 1887 he was united in marriage to Anna Walker. Mrs. Wagner preceded her husband in death on December 18, 1910. He was also preceded in death by his parents and one sister and brother in Norway. He is survived by six children, Mrs. Sadie Knutson of Eagle Grove, Iowa, Thomas Wagner of Webster City, Iowa, Amos Wagner of Eagle Grove, Iowa, Mrs. Mabel Fisher of Eagle Grove, Iowa, Mrs. Elida Moen of Fort Dodge, Iowa and Mrs. Mary Haynes of San Diego, California; twenty-two grand children and sixteen great- grandchildren.

Mr, Wagner was a member of the Holmes Evangelical Lutheran church at the time of his death. He has been an active member in the congregation since his conversion. For many years he has been a deacon in Holmes congregation and has fulfilled his duties with great earnestness. As long as he was able he was the pastor's right hand, visiting the sick and seeking to bring the gospel to the community. He was interested in the spiritual welfare of young and old alike. He was active in the Central Iowa Inner-Mission Federation since its beginning and served as treasurer for a number of years. He has also been active in the Hauge Federation throughout its entire history. He has been actively engaged in the work of the Zion Society and has served as secretary treasurer of that organization. Mr. Wagner was a great exponent of personal Christianity, of which he lived and testified consistently throughout his Christian life. He was a man of great conviction and was not afraid to voice his opinion in any place. He had the firmness of the true saint who will not compromise, yet he had the gentleness of a heart melted by the love of Christ. His main sphere of activity and interest was Holmes Lutheran congregation, but he also reached out to the very ends of the earth in his support of missions. God gave him a great heart for missions. He responded by accepting the burden, both of prayer and liberal giving.

Mr. Wagner was a man of unusual gift. He was a lay-preacher with deep insight into the Word. He was a man led of Spirit of God, becoming a mature Christian with spiritual understanding. He was not only active within the church, but took the side of right in civic affairs as well. He came to the rescue of those who could not help themselves.

We have had a great light in our midst. We thank God for one who has been a spiritual father to both the new beginner and the established Christian. We shall never forget his free and open spirit, ready to speak, but also ready to acknowledge and confess his errors and shortcomings. We will miss the great and true witness God placed among us. The voice speaking so clearly and praises of God will be missed by loved ones, the people of the community, the local congregation and the entire fellowship circle; God will, however, cause the seed which he scattered abroad to come again bearing fruit.

Funeral services were held at the Kastler Funeral Home in Eagle Grove, Iowa on Saturday, December 13, at 1:00 p.m. and at Holmes Evangelical Lutheran Church, Holmes, Iowa at 2:00 p.m. The Rev. Hardis C. Bakken officiated. Interment was made at the Holmes Cemetery, at Holmes, Iowa.

Those from a distance who attended the service were Mrs. Howard Haynes, San Diego, Calif., Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Moen, Glen Moen and Miss Eileen Moen of Fort Dodge Iowa, James Moen, Des Moines, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wagner and Harris Wagner of Webster City, Iowa, Mrs. John Price, Webster City, Iowa Mr. and Mrs. Hugo Kuehnast and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Kirkchoff of Humboldt, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. Iver Wagner, Blue Earth, Minnesota, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Walker, Slater, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. T. Hagen, Renwick, Iowa, and a host of friends from far and near.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
December 18, 1947