Obit: Wagner, Herbert Otto (1921 - 1997)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Wagner, Sauerberg, Andrews, Opperman, Richardson, Schmitz, Biebert

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 10/29/1997

Wagner, Herbert Otto (20 December 1921 – 22 October 1997)

Herbert Otto Wagner, 75, of W6716 Walker Road, (Town of Pine Valley) passed away at his residence on Oct. 22, 1997 at 7:30 p.m.

Herbert was born the son of August and Ernestine (Sauerberg) Wagner on Dec. 20, 1920 on the home farm in Town of Pine Valley. He was one of eleven children born to the Wagners. He attended the Grandview School, St. John’s Lutheran School and graduated from Neillsville High School. He received a scholarship for the highest grade point average in his class but turned it down to continue farming. Herbert was a farmer for his entire life. He was featured as the “Good Deed of the Month” winner in April/May issue of the magazine entitled “Good News In-Deed.” He was honored by the Neillsville Chamber of Commerce who held a dinner in his honor.

Herb was a member of Ducks Unlimited and the WINX Club. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. He was very active within the church and was proud to be a part of that congregation. He became semi-retired a few years ago but never retired completely from farming. On Oct. 19 of this year, a new flowage called the “WIJA” (meaning goose) was dedicated, by the WINX Club and Ducks Unlimited in recognition of the conservation efforts of Herb and his late brother, Martin. Herbert was greatly involved in providing habitat for the geese in this area over the years. Herbert was a very intelligent and loving man and will be missed by all who knew him.

Herbert is survived by one sister, Ruth Andrews of the Town of Pine Valley. He is also survived by manty nieces and nephews and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his father in 1940 and his mother in 1950, two infant brothers, Anton and Rudy, brothers: Walter, August, Frederick “Fritz” and Martin; sisters, Meta Opperman and Erna Richardson and one infant sister.

Services were held on Saturday, Oct. 25, 1997 at St. John’s Lutheran Church at Neillsville at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Timothy Biebert officiating. Sharon Schmitz was organist for congregational singing. The burial followed in the Neillsville City Cemetery. Visitation was held on Friday evening at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville from 4-8 p.m. Gesche Funeral Home is serving Herbert’s family.