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Dave Mathias Wagner
May 24, 1939 ~ October 15, 2016 (age 77) 77 Years Old Light a Candle
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Message from Dodie CONNER Ladwig
October 19, 2016 10:26 PM
Jane, My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Message from James J. Seitz
October 19, 2016 6:02 PM
Jane and Family,
Here is a small part of what I shared in my homily. First, how the Bible has 46 books in the Old Testament and 27 in the New, for a total of 73 books (bet you all knew that), and yet, the story of our Salvation History is not ended. David's life is book number 74. His faith journey, his devoted love to his wife, Jane, of 58 years, his admiration for his children and grandchildren, his love of Church, and farming, his being a Communion Minister distributing the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ for countless years, his proclaiming the Word of God at the Holy Mass and his passion to share his faith. All of this and so much more make up his faith story and love for Jesus and Mary, which in now book number 74 added in the story of our Salvation History. The Bible continues to be written and each of our stories is added--how we respond to the grace given us at baptism.
Secondly, I shared how Msgr. Eagan was the fourth priest to be ordained from my hometown of Ellsworth, and how he was the priest who did my dad's funeral in 1990. All of my family remember how he shared in a personal way how he played baseball with my dad and how Leo was a good baseball player. Msgr. Egan words about baseball were personal and that is what most of my brothers and sisters remember about his homily that day. I would like to share three short stories and add a personal touch to them from my knowing Dave. Before doing so, I first mentioned words of Scripture about how when one find a friend, one finds a treasure. Jane called Dave her husband and the father of their children, he was my lover, and my best friend. Dave's children called his daddy. The grandchildren called him grandpa. But many of you are here today, like me, who called David you friend. "When on finds a friend, one find a treasure." I am honored to be here today to talk about a man who I called my friend--and I found him to be a treasure. I find at 57 not many fit into that category that describes that scripture passage.
The first story: Mark Twain once wrote, "I could live a whole week on one good compliment." I went to visit Dave in the hospital in Sioux Falls the day before he returned to the Lord. HIs wife Jane and their four children were all around his bedside as I administered the "Last Rites", and the whole family can attest to this-- how David complimented me over and over from his bed, saying positive things about my days I served him and his family and the people of St. Anne for four and a half years, and how many good things I did. I repeated over and over Twain's quote to drive home the point we can learn from David, and how it was easy for him to say good and complimentary things about people. Even as he and I would travel to SF and Marshall to see BB games, he never stopped complimenting the good he saw me doing. He always lifted people up.
The Second Story: A question appeared in the NY Times asking..."What is the hardest thing to kill?" Growing up as a child I shared how hard it was to kill a snake, The final answer to the question was..."A Grandparent's Love". It said in his obituary that his four children were his pride and joy--exact words. I can also tell you, while sitting next to him at games, and many of the drives over, his grandchildren were always a topic of conversation. He would tell me how he and Jane were going to see this grandchild play this sport or that grandchild perform. Six of his grandchildren are pallbearers and I can only imagine what grandma and grandpa's love mean to them. I shared Bishop Harrington belief that grandparents have the greatest influence on vocations because grandkids see their holiness and love for God so easily. A grandparent's love is the hardest thing to kill.
The Third Story: Question appeared in the London Times back in the 70's asking..."What is the shortest way to London?" The winner would win a cash prize. Thousands and thousands of responses and the winner was..."Good Company". I shared going to the Twins game was four hours when I was a kid--55 mph and only one lane all the way to the cities. But I can tell you, being with three other buddies in the car who were good company, that ride went by so fast. Many of us are here because Dave was good company. Many of us spent countless hours just spending time in his presence and how he and Jane were good company. I always enjoyed sitting next to him at games and reminiscing about this and that. He knew people in my hometown and he played Catholic sports growing up and he knew his teams and what a good and bad game looked like. He was good company. I often think that is what has died in so many people today. Years ago, on a Sunday afternoon, visiting was everything. Now we rarely visit our neighbors. All of us are here today, at this funeral, because we know Dave was good company. I know I will miss that very much.
Lastly, I shared a tad about his being A Communion Minister and Reader at Mass for so many years--I think 27 years or so. I was the priest who he had to tell he could no longer do it because he was unsteady on his feet and afraid he would fall. How he loved serving and ministering in that way. I knew that was very hard for him knowing he would no longer be able to serve in that way--it meant so much to him. He truly served God and was faithful raising his children in the Catholic Church. I ended by saying I am sure Dave is proud of many accomplishments, his 58 years of devotion to Jane, his children and grandchildren, his love for sowing and reaping the seed, his love for life, and for sports...but way up there, I have to believe his ministering the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass and proclaiming the Word of God. . We celebrate a man today whose story in now the 74th book found in the Bible--it is all about a man who served and loved God well. He was a friend whose nature was to compliment and see the good in people, he absolutely loved his grandkids, and he was, in every way, a man who I enjoyed being in the presence of. He was good company to all of us and we will miss him. What a beautiful book added to the story of our Salvation History.
Here is a small part of what I shared in my homily. First, how the Bible has 46 books in the Old Testament and 27 in the New, for a total of 73 books (bet you all knew that), and yet, the story of our Salvation History is not ended. David's life is book number 74. His faith journey, his devoted love to his wife, Jane, of 58 years, his admiration for his children and grandchildren, his love of Church, and farming, his being a Communion Minister distributing the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ for countless years, his proclaiming the Word of God at the Holy Mass and his passion to share his faith. All of this and so much more make up his faith story and love for Jesus and Mary, which in now book number 74 added in the story of our Salvation History. The Bible continues to be written and each of our stories is added--how we respond to the grace given us at baptism.
Secondly, I shared how Msgr. Eagan was the fourth priest to be ordained from my hometown of Ellsworth, and how he was the priest who did my dad's funeral in 1990. All of my family remember how he shared in a personal way how he played baseball with my dad and how Leo was a good baseball player. Msgr. Egan words about baseball were personal and that is what most of my brothers and sisters remember about his homily that day. I would like to share three short stories and add a personal touch to them from my knowing Dave. Before doing so, I first mentioned words of Scripture about how when one find a friend, one finds a treasure. Jane called Dave her husband and the father of their children, he was my lover, and my best friend. Dave's children called his daddy. The grandchildren called him grandpa. But many of you are here today, like me, who called David you friend. "When on finds a friend, one find a treasure." I am honored to be here today to talk about a man who I called my friend--and I found him to be a treasure. I find at 57 not many fit into that category that describes that scripture passage.
The first story: Mark Twain once wrote, "I could live a whole week on one good compliment." I went to visit Dave in the hospital in Sioux Falls the day before he returned to the Lord. HIs wife Jane and their four children were all around his bedside as I administered the "Last Rites", and the whole family can attest to this-- how David complimented me over and over from his bed, saying positive things about my days I served him and his family and the people of St. Anne for four and a half years, and how many good things I did. I repeated over and over Twain's quote to drive home the point we can learn from David, and how it was easy for him to say good and complimentary things about people. Even as he and I would travel to SF and Marshall to see BB games, he never stopped complimenting the good he saw me doing. He always lifted people up.
The Second Story: A question appeared in the NY Times asking..."What is the hardest thing to kill?" Growing up as a child I shared how hard it was to kill a snake, The final answer to the question was..."A Grandparent's Love". It said in his obituary that his four children were his pride and joy--exact words. I can also tell you, while sitting next to him at games, and many of the drives over, his grandchildren were always a topic of conversation. He would tell me how he and Jane were going to see this grandchild play this sport or that grandchild perform. Six of his grandchildren are pallbearers and I can only imagine what grandma and grandpa's love mean to them. I shared Bishop Harrington belief that grandparents have the greatest influence on vocations because grandkids see their holiness and love for God so easily. A grandparent's love is the hardest thing to kill.
The Third Story: Question appeared in the London Times back in the 70's asking..."What is the shortest way to London?" The winner would win a cash prize. Thousands and thousands of responses and the winner was..."Good Company". I shared going to the Twins game was four hours when I was a kid--55 mph and only one lane all the way to the cities. But I can tell you, being with three other buddies in the car who were good company, that ride went by so fast. Many of us are here because Dave was good company. Many of us spent countless hours just spending time in his presence and how he and Jane were good company. I always enjoyed sitting next to him at games and reminiscing about this and that. He knew people in my hometown and he played Catholic sports growing up and he knew his teams and what a good and bad game looked like. He was good company. I often think that is what has died in so many people today. Years ago, on a Sunday afternoon, visiting was everything. Now we rarely visit our neighbors. All of us are here today, at this funeral, because we know Dave was good company. I know I will miss that very much.
Lastly, I shared a tad about his being A Communion Minister and Reader at Mass for so many years--I think 27 years or so. I was the priest who he had to tell he could no longer do it because he was unsteady on his feet and afraid he would fall. How he loved serving and ministering in that way. I knew that was very hard for him knowing he would no longer be able to serve in that way--it meant so much to him. He truly served God and was faithful raising his children in the Catholic Church. I ended by saying I am sure Dave is proud of many accomplishments, his 58 years of devotion to Jane, his children and grandchildren, his love for sowing and reaping the seed, his love for life, and for sports...but way up there, I have to believe his ministering the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass and proclaiming the Word of God. . We celebrate a man today whose story in now the 74th book found in the Bible--it is all about a man who served and loved God well. He was a friend whose nature was to compliment and see the good in people, he absolutely loved his grandkids, and he was, in every way, a man who I enjoyed being in the presence of. He was good company to all of us and we will miss him. What a beautiful book added to the story of our Salvation History.
Message from Linda Tobias
October 20, 2016 1:23 PM
Beautiful tribute Father.
Message from Deb Priebe
October 19, 2016 11:46 AM
Jane and family,
I was so sorry to hear of the loss of Dave on Saturday. My parents were visiting me at the time and we all felt a sense of loss upon hearing the news. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this very difficult time. Deb
I was so sorry to hear of the loss of Dave on Saturday. My parents were visiting me at the time and we all felt a sense of loss upon hearing the news. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this very difficult time. Deb
A candle was lit by Ed and Lynne (Lanners) Herrmann
on October 18, 2016 8:18 PM
A candle was lit by Patty Suedbeck
on October 18, 2016 5:40 PM
Message from Barb (Gieselman) Paplow
October 18, 2016 3:28 PM
Sharon and family, sorry for your loss, your family have our deepest sympathy. Sincerely Louie, Clarice, and Barb (Gieselman) Paplow
Message from Marcia (Zinnel) Geraets
October 18, 2016 11:47 AM
My deepest sympathy to you and your family on the kids of your husband, father, and grandfather. Be blessed by your memories of Dave and know that he lived his life like he wanted to and was surrounded by a loving family. May you find comfort in each other in the coming days ahead.
Message from Colleen Carol Casey
October 18, 2016 11:37 AM
I am deeply saddened about Mr. Wagner's sudden passing and yet, so thankful that I met him and knew him briefly. He was such a good man, a family-oriented man, and I enjoyed his company so much when we met several years ago. I am a long-time friend of his daughter, Sharon, and I thank God for the gift of her. She is a treasure and Mr. Wagner was clearly so proud of her and loved her, and his family, so very much. My condolences also to Mrs. Wagner and all of the family. What a wonderful legacy of love he left in his family. God bless you all and comfort and surround with his peace.
A candle was lit by Colleen Carol Casey
on October 18, 2016 11:31 AM
Message from Tim Bengtson
October 18, 2016 10:24 AM
So sorry for your loss. I can't make it to the funeral because I'm out of town. Please let me know if you need anything, sympathys.
.Tims plumbing and heating
.Tims plumbing and heating
A candle was lit by Dave and Karen (Lundell) Rice
on October 18, 2016 6:59 AM
Message from Beth LeTendre Oolman
October 17, 2016 11:49 PM
Dear Wagner Family,
My sincere sympathy to all of you, but especially to Sharon, my classmate. Having grown up together as families sitting in the "northside pews" at St. Ann's, we were often celebrating mass together. My first ever memory of being on an actual FARM was when I was in elementary school and invited out to play at your place by Sharon. Imagine the fun and excitement I found in the barn and hay mow! May fond memories, family, and faith comfort you in your loss. So sorry I won't be able to see you in person! My sympathy, Beth
My sincere sympathy to all of you, but especially to Sharon, my classmate. Having grown up together as families sitting in the "northside pews" at St. Ann's, we were often celebrating mass together. My first ever memory of being on an actual FARM was when I was in elementary school and invited out to play at your place by Sharon. Imagine the fun and excitement I found in the barn and hay mow! May fond memories, family, and faith comfort you in your loss. So sorry I won't be able to see you in person! My sympathy, Beth
Message from Alice Mahlmann
October 17, 2016 6:04 PM
Jane,
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Alice (from PAVTI accounting)
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Alice (from PAVTI accounting)
Message from Maxine Davis
October 17, 2016 5:32 PM
Jane ,My heart is breaking for you and your family! I wish I was there so I could put my arms around you, precious friend.May your Faith,Family and Friends help comfort you and the Angels keep you in their arms...I will see you Tuesday.God Love you All
A THE COLOR OF MEMORIES TABLE ARRANGEMENT was sent on October 17, 2016
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. With much Love, Rick and Jennifer
Message from Denise (Priebe) Boock
October 17, 2016 4:13 PM
Dear Jane and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. May your memories of Dave give you peace and comfort.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. May your memories of Dave give you peace and comfort.
Message from Mike Marcotte
October 17, 2016 3:45 PM
I was shocked and saddened to hear about Dave’s passing. I know this is a very difficult time for the entire family. May you find comfort in the outpouring of support from all who share your loss! Mike
A candle was lit by jim lutmer
on October 17, 2016 3:44 PM
Message from Rosemary DePauw-Brown
October 17, 2016 11:44 AM
My sincere sympathies to you Jane and your families.
May he Rest In Peace
Rosemary
May he Rest In Peace
Rosemary
Message from Linda Tobias
October 17, 2016 9:41 AM
Jane and family: Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers at the loss of Dave. I first met him as our UPS driver at the office in Pipestone, always first class. May the special memories you have help you get thru the tough times.
Message from David DePauw
October 17, 2016 9:34 AM
Dear Wagner family,
Please accept my deepest condolences and sympathies on the passing of your husband/father/grandfather. I have many fond memories of Dave from my Slayton years and have so enjoyed the opportunity to re-connect after mass when you were visiting Cyndi and her family.
May you all find great comfort in family, faith, friends and your wonderful memories. May Dave rest in God's peace.
Please accept my deepest condolences and sympathies on the passing of your husband/father/grandfather. I have many fond memories of Dave from my Slayton years and have so enjoyed the opportunity to re-connect after mass when you were visiting Cyndi and her family.
May you all find great comfort in family, faith, friends and your wonderful memories. May Dave rest in God's peace.
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