Robert Wagner

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Robert “Bob” L. Wagner, 85
Robert “Bob” Leon Wagner, 85, of Austin died on July 8, 2008 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home in Austin.
He was born Aug. 18, 1922 in Melrose, Minn. A graduate of Melrose High School where he excelled in both basketball and baseball, Bob was the starting point guard and center for the Melrose Varsity basketball team for five years, 8th -12th grades. He was the son of Henry and Anna (Lohrke) Wagner, owner of Wagner’s Meat Market in Melrose, where he worked processing meat for his family.
He attended Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn., for one year, then enlisted in the Navy on Oct. 12, 1942 and was stationed in Recife, Brazil. Robert was honorably discharged on Oct. 1, 1945. He married Valaria Ann Koll at Fort Snelling, Minn., on June 29, 1945. Robert worked on the Hormel Guard Force for 35 years, retiring on Feb. 28, 1983. Robert dearly loved his wife and family. Besides family, Bob enjoyed fishing and carpentry. Robert will be remembered for his many qualities, but especially his great sense of humor.
Survivors included his loving wife of 63 years, Valaria; three sons, Tom (Debbie), Castle Rock, Colo., Dave (Terry), Chaska, Minn., Mike (Ann), Los Angeles, Calif.; son-in-law, Harry Harwick; grandchildren, Lindsay (Wagner) Vatterott and husband Franco, Ryan Wagner, Nicole (Wagner) Sopena and husband Victor, Megan Wagner and Sydne Harwick; two great-grandchildren, Kylan Vatterott and Layla Skye Vatterott; brother, Willard (Genevieve) Wagner, Austin.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Carol Ann Harwick.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 11, 2008 at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Joe Fogal officiating. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post #91. There will be a 5 p.m. prayer service on Thursday evening at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 4 – 6 p.m. on Thursday. Memorials may be sent to AMC Hospice are preferred in lieu of flowers.

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