Frances "Jane" (Metz) Wagner

In Loving Memory of

Frances Jane Wagner

Frances Jane Metz (Wagner) was born on March 12, 1939, in Slayton, Minnesota to Frances and Peter Metz. Jane was the 11th of 12 children and was known to all as Jane.  Her fondest memories of childhood were growing up on a farm near Hadley MN, where she always identified as “home”.  Jane belonged to a large and loving family. She attended school in Hadley and Slayton and graduated from Slayton High School in the class of 1957 as Salutatorian.  Jane briefly attended nursing school in Sioux Falls and married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, David Mathias Wagner, at St Ann’s Catholic Church in Slayton on June 9, 1959.  Dave and Jane lived for a short time on his parent’s farm located just east of Slayton, but soon moved to Slayton where they started their family. The couple’s four children were born during their Slayton years.  Jane was very devoted as a mother and wife, supporting their family in many ways. She worked as a car hop at the drive-in and as a secretary in Slayton at the Ag office. Later, she returned to Pipestone Vo-tech to earn her accounting degree and worked as an accountant in Slayton for a number of years.  Dave and Jane lived in Slayton for about 8 years, always dreaming of returning to the farm.  They realized this dream in 1970 and moved their young family to their current farm home north of Slayton. This was the beginning of a successful and rewarding family farm life for the next 56 years.  The family raised a variety of critters, starting with chinchillas, a few ducks and sheep, horses, and ultimately many years of hog and crop farming.  Jane’s children all grew up and learned many lessons on that farm that would shape them throughout their lives.  

Jane loved life on the family farm more than anything. She lived a rich and rewarding life, and was an avid gardener and farm spouse, quick to help with the livestock and in fields. She also was quite artistic with many projects, including quilting, canning, ceramics, and scrapbooking. She documented the history of her large family tree in an ongoing project over several decades. Jane especially loved her large family reunions. Dave and Jane were also avid baseball fans and took Twins bus tours to spring training and saw many baseball parks. They often traveled on vacation together and visited their children and their families frequently. Dave passed away in October 2016.  Jane remained on and continued to live on and care for the family farm for nearly 10 years with help of family and friends. She took great pride in her farm and kept it looking immaculate down to the last flower, tree branch and dandelion.  She especially loved the deer and pheasants and kept them fed during the cold winter months.  Jane was the ultimate family mother. Jane’s four children were her pride and joy, and she was so proud of their many accomplishments.  She was one of the youngest in her large immediate family and cared for her siblings as they aged.  A lifelong consummate “giver” Jane was well appreciated as the family caretaker.  Jane was a lifelong devout Catholic, and a very active parishioner of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Slayton. She remained active her entire life, serving at volunteer numerous events, teaching Sunday school, and managed the church bulletin for many years. Her faith was rich and unwavering and an example to many.  Jane passed away on Monday, May 11, 2026, after a short but courageous battle with cancer. Members of Jane’s immediate family were present.

Jane will be dearly missed.  She is survived by her four children, Jeffrey (June) Wagner of Indianapolis, IN, Michael (Susanne) Wagner of Bodega Bay, CA, Cynthia (Patrick) O’Connell of Lakeville MN, and Sharon Wagner of Lakeville MN.  She was blessed with ten grandchildren: Taryn Bucher, Alyssa Miles and Matthew Wagner (Jeffrey), Nicole Galvez, Natalie Wagner, Audrey Lanning and Sam Wagner (Michael); Megan O’Connell, Jeremy O’Connell, and Sarah Waddell (Cynthia). She is also survived by one sister, Dorothy Randall of Sauk Rapids, MN, and two brothers, Raphael Metz of Tracy MN, and Joseph Metz of Truman MN. Jane has 5 great grandchildren with more to come.  She is preceded in death by her husband, David Mathias Wagner, her parents, 3 sisters, and 5 brothers.

Funeral Services

St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Slayton, MN on Tuesday May 19, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Peter Schuster officiating.  The organist is Judy Andrews.  The song leader is Sheila Crowley.  The pallbearers are her grandchildren.  Interment is at St. Ann’s Cemetery in Slayton, MN.

Visitation will be on Monday, May 18, 2026, at St. Ann’s Church from 4-6 p.m. and one hour prior to the services at the church on Tuesday.  Interment is at St. Ann’s Cemetery in Slayton, Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangement.  To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com

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