Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 271111
Title: Garry W. Wagner
Date: 2/19/1944-9/14/2023
Inscription/Marks: 2/19/1944
Summary: Garry W. Wagner, 79, Bismarck, ND, passed away September 14, 2023, at the Baptist Home in Bismarck. A memorial service was held September 19, 2023, at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Bismarck. Burial was at Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck. Garry W. Wagner was born February 19, 1944, in Minot, ND, the third son of Clara (Jungling) and Deofil Wagner. He was raised in Max, ND, graduating from Max High School in 1962 and then continuing to work on the family farm. What started as a blind date led to a happy family when Garry married Linda Sayler Briggs on October 6, 1973, in Garrison, ND, and her children became his. He was so excited when their daughter, Sara Beth, completed their family. He spoiled his kids, rarely saying no. While living in town, Garry continued to farm. He taught his kids the important life lessons – how to drive stick shift, tractor, grain truck, and combine. Never far was his dog Sheba, his girlfriend who sat right beside him in the pickup wherever he went. In addition to farming, Garry began a career with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture. He was passionate about his job, advancing in his career and eventually moving to Mandan and working out of the state capitol. He was also president of the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials, 2006-2007. He retired in 2008 after 25 years of service. Garry sang for many years in church choirs and then with the Bismarck Elks Chorus. He enjoyed the music, the people, and the travel – taking chorus trips to several places across the country. Following Garry’s Parkinson’s diagnosis, he and his wife Linda helped to start the Bismarck Parkinson’s support group in 2011, as well as the annual Parkinson’s Walk Run. This year was the 13th year of raising funds and spreading awareness. Garry was always kind and compassionate. He was a quiet, hard worker who never complained. He was humble (unless he was bragging about the Green Bay Packers). He was a big teddy bear, just like his Pa. Garry had a special bond with the staff at the Baptist Home in Bismarck. He loved and appreciated them, and we’d like to think he was a favorite of theirs. They knew they could always stop in his room to catch a Braves game on TV or talk about his beloved Packers. His family is so grateful for the care that he received. Survivors are his children, Korie (Ron) Huettl, Jonathan (Carmen) Briggs, and Sara (Jon) Kelsch; grandchildren, Emily Huettl (Dustin Anderson), Jordan (Katie) Huettl, Kyle Briggs, Lexus (Michael) Wiest, Leah Kelsch, and Bryson Kelsch; great-grandchildren, Etta, Archer and Della Huettl, Rhys Anderson, and Henry and Owen Wiest; sister-in-law, Beverly Wagne; brother-in-law, Ernie (Debbie) Sayler; sister-in-law, Jan (Eric) Greenwell; nieces and nephews, Steve, David, Lynae, Ron, Denise, Allison, Dennes, Randy, Hollie, Lauri, Candace, and Jeff; and many extended family members, including the Briggses and the Hottells. Gary was preceded in death by his wife, Linda; parents, Clara and Deofil Wagner; brothers, Curtis (Wilma) Wagner and Dennes Wagner; in-laws, Dave and Leona Sayler; sister-in-law, Rita Sayler; niece, Diane Cottingham;, nephews Rory Sayler and Todd Sayler; great-nephew, Travis Wagner; and many extended family members.
Red ID: FND_I_78600 Image ID: 575980 Image Notes: FND001 271111

Collection: FND001 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Date: -

Summary: The North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program is sponsored by the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association. The life stories of deceased North Dakotans are featured in an archvied collection. Current partners in the project are Eastgate Funeral & Cremation Services, Bismarck Evans Funeral Homes, Carrington and New Rockford Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home, Williston Fulkerson Funeral Home, Tioga Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Williston Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck Springan Stevenson Funeral Home, Stanley Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson These funeral homes provide recent obituaries to the Foundation, where staff and volunteers format, edit and archive each memorial. The memorials are posted, and copies are sent to the family for their input and approval. The listing currently features more than 13,000 memorials, and is constantly updated as new memorials and histories are received.

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