Thursday, October 26, 2023

Donald Lee “Don” Wagner

May 31, 1927 - Oct. 24, 2023

ORD, Neb. - Donald Lee “Don” Wagner, loving husband and father of 15, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family at Burwell, Neb. on Oct. 24, 2023; at the age of 96.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Sat., Oct. 28, 2023; at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Ord. Father Scott Harter will be the Celebrant. Burial will be in the Ord Catholic Cemetery. Military Honors will be presented by the Ord VFW Post #7029 and American Legion Post #38.

Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to St. Mary’s School or the Ord Food Pantry.

Don was born in McCook, Neb, on May 31, 1927, to John and Elizabeth (Kautz) Wagner. He grew up in McCook with his mother and five siblings and graduated from McCook High School in 1945. Following graduation, Don served two years in the U.S. Army before returning home to McCook.

Don married Gertrude Elaine Teel on May 31, 1948. Don and Gertrude initially made their home in McCook and welcomed the first of 15 children in April of 1949. In 1950, the family moved to Ord, Neb. where they rented acreage in Mira Valley and began farming. The family continued to farm near North Loup and eventually moved to the current family farm located six miles southwest of Ord.

In addition to farming, Don worked as an engineer with the North Loup Valley REA for many years helping to bring electricity to much of central Nebraska.

Don was active in many civic activities including holding statewide offices in both the Nebraska Jaycees and the Nebraska Water Resources Association. In 1978, Don was appointed by Governor Charles Thone to the Nebraska State Legislature as State Senator for the 41st District, where he served six years.

Don’s focus in life was always on his faith, his family, and the family farm. Don was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Ord and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He and Gertrude delighted in the many family gatherings on the farm for family celebrations, harvests, and holidays. The Wagner’s Labor Day wiener roast was an annual event that always included many family and friends, a huge bonfire, roasted Cetak wieners and one of the largest water fights known to Valley County.

Don was an avid outdoorsman and conservationist. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping on the family’s acreage located on the North Loup River. He especially loved spending much of each deer season in his “Deer Hilton” - a small cabin he built high above the ground which allowed him to enjoy the beautiful vistas of the North Loup River Valley.

Survivors include eleven children, Ronald Wagner (Betty) of Lincoln, Neb., Christine Cook (Riley) of Hastings, Neb., Barb Yrkoski (Marv) of Ord, Neb., Larry Wagner (Jane) of Houston, Tex., Chuck Wagner, San Francisco, Cal., Mary Hughes of Ord, Neb., Tom Wagner (Jeanne) of Ankeny, Iowa, Therese Hulme (Mike) of Grand Island, Neb., Kevin Wagner of Stilwell, Kan., Patti Behnk (Jerry) of Clearwater, Neb., and Michael Wagner (Carol) of Lincoln, Neb.; one sister, Phyllis Wilcox of McCook, Neb.; one brother, Wilbur Wagner of Denver, Colo.; over 100 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, John and Elizabeth (Kautz) Wagner; two brothers, Harold Wagner and Dale Wagner; a half-sister, Virginia Van Kirk; his wife, Gertrude Elaine (Teel) Wagner; two daughters, Regina Ann Wagner and Vicky Rose Croot; two sons, Martin Teel Wagner and James Brian Wagner; a daughter-in-law, Donalyn Wagner; two grandsons, Nick Rowbal and Philip Wagner; and a great-grandson, Kevin Johnson.