In Memory of Irene M. Wagner
Irene M. Wagner, age 97, of West Des Moines, Iowa, formerly of Ida Grove died Wednesday, October 23, 2013, at Arbor Springs of West Des Moines, Iowa.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 25, 2013, First United Methodist Church of Ida Grove, Iowa with the Reverend Chad Lierman officiating. Burial will follow in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa. Visitation with the family present will be held 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, October 24, 2013 at the Christensen ~ Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen ~ Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com
Irene was born April 19, 1916 to John and Marie (Mamie) Kracht in Brooke Township, Peterson Iowa. She graduated from Brooke High School in 1934 and earned a two year teaching degree from Buena Vista College in 1945. She taught in several one-room schoolhouses and K-12 schools as well as coached girls basketball. Irene married John E. Wagner in 1946. The couple was blessed with three children, Sara, John Paul, Mimi. They owned and operated John’s Super Valu grocery store in Ida Grove together from 1949 until the business was sold to their son John Paul in 1982.
Irene was very active in her community and found these experiences wonderfully fun and rewarding. She participated in community theater, Horn Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and was a member of the Order of Eastern Star. She also was a County Conservation Board member, an Alumni Board Member at Buena Vista University and a senior Girl Scout leader. Irene had a passion for all types of music and was a long time member of United Methodist Church where she belonged to ladies circles, taught bible and Sunday School, and provided food for numerous events.
She explored many interests in life: bridge, gardening, astronomy, cross country skiing, reading, golfing, birding, mothering and grand mothering. Her favorite travel destinations were Alaska and Antarctica.
Irene was a gracious and generous friend and parent. She was born finding joy in giving. When she had very little to give, she always found a way. It was her second nature.
John passed away when they were both 65 years old. Irene was saddened that he couldn’t be with her to live a retired, more carefree way of life. But she learned to enjoy what there was to enjoy. She was generous with her family, continued to live in the home they built together in the rural countryside, and she traveled.
Irene had been a resident of Arbor Springs Care Center in Des Moines since 2007. She participated in activities and developed many new friendships there with residents and staff. Her smile and loving words will be missed there by many.
Left to cherish her memory are her three children, Sara Peterson of Ankeny; John Paul Wagner of Walnut Creek California; and Mimi Wagner of Ames; four grandsons and four great grandchildren.
The family requests memorials be directed to the First United Methodist Church, Ida County Conservation Board or Buena Vista University-Irene Wagner Scholarship.
SERVICES
10:30 A.M., Friday,
October 25, 2013
First United Methodist Church
Ida Grove Iowa
OFFICIATING
Reverend Chad Lierman
CASKET BEARERS
Roger Edwards, Matt Wagner,
John P. Askew, Alex Askew,
Don Peterson, Craig Cox
VISITATION
6:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M. Thursday
October 24, 2013
Christensen-Van Houten
Funeral Home
Ida Grove, Iowa
MUSIC
Organist: Geraldine Dankert
Vocalist: Darwin Walters
"Amazing Grace"
"In The Garden"
INTERMENT
Ida Grove Cemetery,
Ida Grove Iowa
Condolences
So sorry to hear about your mom; your parents were wonderful people! I have fond memories of walking down to their first store on Main Street to get a treat after Sunday school & visiting their beautiful big new house on the hill for our 4-H meetings. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.”
Ms. Irene was a grand lady. It moves my heart to think of her gentle spirit and love of others. I am honored to have gotten to know her for a time when my husband and I were in the Ida Grove area. I remember going on the "blue bird trail" and "sharing her gazebo while star gazing" when I was pregnant with our son Nicholas... 28 years ago. Ms. Irene is one friend who continues to warm my heart when I think of her. May our Lord hold and keep her. May He comfort you... her family and friends.
In warm regards,
Sharon Schrunk ”
Ed and Leigh”
”