Margaret Louise Wagner

Margaret Wagner, age 81, of Neillsville, WI died Thursday, July 5, 2012 at the Neillsville Care and Rehabilitation Center.Margaret Louise Smith was born on March 30, 1931 in Fairchild, WI the daughter of Herman and Violet (Brick) Smith. She graduated from Fairchild High School in 1949, and then moved to Neillsville and worked at Becker's Caf. She met Martin Wagner at the Silver Dome Ballroom and they were united in marriage on June 2, 1951 at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Neillsville. For many years, Margaret stayed at home raising their family and helping on the family farm. As her children got older she began working outside the home. She worked at Sammy Ball's as a waitress and cook, she also waitressed at the Hacienda Restaurant, and she was known for her delicious pies at Mary Lou's Restaurant. She also worked at Autotest, Figi's and for many years at Tim Kopp's Tree Farm, making wreaths.Margaret was a member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Neillsville. During her spare time she enjoyed reading and owned a vast library of books. She is survived by five children, Marilyn (Verlyn) Shaw of Neillsville, WI, Alice (Patrick) Glinski of Neillsville, WI, Bruce Wagner of Schofield, WI, Donald Wagner of Schofield, WI and Janice (Martin) Knudsen of Arcadia, WI. Ten grandchildren, Matthew, Tim, Paul, Debbi, Erin, Shanon, Steve, Olivia, Garrett, Rachel, nine great grandchildren, four step-great grandchildren and a sister, Dorothy (Harvey) Mueller of Ocala, FL.She was preceded in death by her husband, Martin, a great granddaughter, Destiny, her parents, a brother, Gerald and two sisters, Delores and Rachel.Funeral Services for Margaret will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 9, 2012 at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Neillsville. Pastor Timothy Biebert will officiate. Interment will be in the Neillsville City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sunday at the Gesche Funeral Home and from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Monday at the Church.Casket Bearers are: Bruce Wagner, Don Wagner, Pat Glinski, Verlyn Shaw, Martin Knudsen and Jeff Smith.Funeral Home:Gesche Funeral Home4 South Grand AvenueNeillsville, WIUS 54456