GERALD WAGNER

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Saturday, March 4, 2023 at Holy Trinity Church. Burial will follow in Corpus Christi Cemetery. A visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 PM Friday with a time for sharing at 6:30 PM all at Laufersweiler Funeral Home. The Saturday church service will be live-streamed on Laufersweiler Funeral Home Facebook page.

Jerry is survived by his children Barbara Wagner of Fort Dodge, Michael (Beth) Wagner of Nevada, Anne (Dave)Dudycha of College Station, TX, Mary Wagner of Houston, TX, Joan Wagner Wallace of Norwalk, CT, and Patrick (Lori) Wagner of Phoenix, AZ, siblings Eugene Wagner of Jacksonville, FL, David Wagner of Ocala, FL, Coleen Carberry of Des Moines, and Angela Stoulil of Pocahontas, daughter-in-law Kelly Wagner of Fort Dodge, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Regina (McCarville) Wagner, wife Martha (Steib) Wagner, son Timothy Wagner, sister Elizabeth Hathaway and brother Louis Wagner.

Gerald William Wagner was born July 24, 1929 in Moorland, IA. He attended area schools and graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High School in 1947. From 1948 to 1952 he served in the Iowa National Guard. On September 13, 1952 he was united in marriage to Martha Steib at Sacred Heart Church and together the couple raised 7 children. In 1990, Jerry retired from the Illinois Central Railroad after 37 years. From a very young age he was a musician, playing the accordion and piano publicly since the age of 9. He was known in Fort Dodge and the surrounding areas for playing in bands such as the Wagner Family Band, Cecelia’s Little Giants, Casper’s Rhythm Aces, and in later years the Button Box Boys. Jerry was a Lion’s Club and Knights of Columbus member and belonged to the Brotherhood of Railroad and Airline Clerks. He was active in his church as a lector, choir member, and BINGO captain. He enjoyed playing music in the community and 63 years of polka dancing with his wife.

In later years he found a loving partner and is survived by Barbara Pessica of Fort Dodge. They enjoyed more than 7 years together filled with laughter, joy and love.

Jerry was a man of great character and will be missed by all. Godspeed Jerry and don’t forget to honk at all the crossings.

Memorials may be left to family discretion.