Edward L. Wagner

Edward L. Wagner, age 86, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2025, in Woodruff, Wisconsin, surrounded by his family. He was born on May 3, 1938, on the Wagner family farm in Butternut, WI, the son of Joseph and Anna (Pichler) Wagner. He graduated from Butternut High School in 1956. Ed grew up working hard making hay with a scythe and hand rake, milking cows, trapping, logging, and even blasting stumps (especially when Pop wasn’t looking). As a teenager, he developed a talent for fixing tractors, machinery, cars and anything on the farm that needed repair. That skill became the foundation of his lifelong career as a mechanic. In 1958 at the age of 19, Ed and his brothers John, Bill, and Louie founded Wagner Ford Sales in Butternut. With the exception of a one-year deployment to Tacoma, Washington with his National Guard unit, Ed spent his entire working life at the garage until he retired in 2002.

Ed met Sheila English at a dance at Idlewild Resort in the summer of 1960. They married on February 4, 1961 in Butternut, and quickly started a family. Together, they raised four children and celebrated 60 years of marriage before Sheila’s passing in 2021. Faith was a cornerstone of Ed’s life. He was an active member of both Immaculate Conception Parish in Butternut and Holy Family Parish in Woodruff. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and proudly achieved the rank of 4th Degree Knight. In addition to his career and church involvement, Ed gave back to his community. He served for many years on the Butternut Fire Department and drove a school bus for the Butternut School District. In 2003, Ed and Sheila moved to Woodruff, where Ed took on the project of building their new home himself. In his later years, he enjoyed gardening, biking, cross-country skiing, and taking his beloved Jaguar out for a spin. He loved hiking and exploring National Parks with his family and was always up for an outdoor adventure. Ed and Sheila also traveled to Mexico and overseas several times, including a memorable trip to the Vatican where they had an audience with Pope John Paul II.

Ed is survived by his sons Robert and Amanda (Engel) of Denver, CO; Alan and Jane (Powless) of Rockford, IL; Steve and Kari (Kartman) of West Linn, OR; and his daughter Christina and Jay DuBois of Bergland, MI. He is also survived by his grandsons, Demion and Karissa (McLaughlin) of Farmington, MN, and Simon of Berkeley, CA; brother Louie and sister-in-law Betty of Park Falls, WI, along with many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Sheila, his parents, his brothers Joseph, Frank, John, Bill, and Leonard and sisters Mary Ann, Theresa, and Rose.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Butternut. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM with services at 11:00 AM followed by burial at St. Cecilia Cemetery and a luncheon at the church.