Jack Dwight Wagner

Jack Dwight Wagner

Aug. 26, 1920 - July 1, 2012

ARAPAHOE, Nebraska -- Jack Dwight Wagner, 91, of Arapahoe, died Sunday (July 1, 2012), at the C.A. Mues Good Samaritan Center in Arapahoe.

He was born on Aug. 26, 1920, north of Arapahoe, Nebraska to Dr. John S. and Verna R. (Hutchinson) Wagner.

He lived with his family at Campbell, Nebraska, until 1931, when they moved to the family farm east of Holbrook, Nebraska. He attended school at Holbrook High School and graduated with the Class of 1938. In the fall following graduation, he was employed by Phillipson's Market in Holbrook until April of 1940, when he began employment with Williams Brothers Grocery Department in Arapahoe. He married Ellen Mae Larson on April 27, 1941, at the Trinity Lutheran Parsonage in Arapahoe.

He then served in the military during World War II from July of 1942 until November of 1945, serving in the Pacific theater. After his discharge from the military, he was employed by Williams Brothers Shoe Department and later the Grocery Department. In September of 1954, they purchased the Modern Market. The store remained at that location until March of 1961. In December of 1960, they purchased the Williams Brothers building. They continued management of the store until October of 1982, when they retired. His wife Ellen died June 28, 2011.

He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Arapahoe, Nebraska and held several offices. He was a Past President of Arapahoe Chamber of Commerce and also a member of the Edison American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Arapahoe Lions Club, and served on the Board of Directors for Affiliated Foods.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ellen Mae; granddaughter, Shelli Haarberg-Wendland; brothers, Gerald Calvin and Jerry Lee Wagner; sister, Mary Etta Wagner.

He is survived by his daughters, Naomi Ruth Haarberg and husband, Lorris of Arapahoe, Sandra Jean Morse and husband, Larry of Sarasota, Florida, Sue Ellen Wagner-Bidwell and husband, Bruce of Percival, Iowa; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren

Funeral services will be Friday, July 6, 2012, at 10 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Arapahoe with the Rev. James Moshier officiating. Burial will be at the Arapahoe Cemetery in Arapahoe with American Legion Post No. 343 of Edison, Nebraska, providing military rites.

Visitation is Thursday, July 5, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Wenburg Funeral Home in Arapahoe and prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Condolences or personal reflections can be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com

Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe is in charge of the arrangements.