Leola Petra Wagner

Leola Petra Wagner was born September 19, 1917 to Fred and Petra (Johnson) Wagner on the family farm near Verdi, Minnesota. She attended Verdi School and graduated in 1935. She continued her education at Lake Benton normal school for teachers training. She taught at the Drammen School for two years and then enrolled at Mankato State University where she attained her Bachelor’s degree in education and teaching. She then taught at Ellendale, Minnesota and Oelwein, Iowa. After 50 years of teaching she retired in 1985. In retirement she lived on the farm in Verdi and in Independence, Iowa. In 1994, she moved to Brookings, South Dakota and then in 1998, moved to Grand Marais, Minnesota where she became a resident at Hillhaven Assisted Living. In September 2012, she became a resident of Primrose Assisted Living in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. On Thursday, December 27, she was transferred to Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls. She died there on Sunday, December 30, 2012 at the age of 95 years.

Leola loved nice cars and travelling. She enjoyed her life work as a teacher, enjoyed public television, and especially enjoyed time spent with her family.

She is survived by her nieces and nephews, Richard Thayer, Rollie Thayer, Terry Vick, Beth Blank, George Vick, Dave Wagner, Dan Wagner, Kay Van Der Vliet, Mark Wagner, Sharla Smith, Jolene Wagner, Amy Wagner, and Tom Reynolds; two sisters-in-law, Cleila Wagner and Agnes Wagner. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Clifford, Leo, and Donald; sisters, Eva, Josephine, Lillian, and Inez; nephews, David Thayer, Gary Vick; and a niece, Lola Thayer.

Blessed be her memory!