George Keith Wagner

George Keith Wagner was born on a farm near Blakesburg, Iowa on January 22, 1931 to John Leola Wagner and Sylvia Edith Bedwell Wagner. He had an older sister, Mary Crispin Wagner. He passed from this life in Kansas City, Missouri at the age of 87 years.

George attended country school as a child, and then Blakesburg High School. There he enjoyed playing basketball, and he met his future wife, Shirley Lucille Rokey, during his high school years.
George and Shirley were married on June 1, 1952. They raised their family in Ottumwa, Iowa and lived there until 2005, when they moved to the Kansas City area to be closer to their grown family. Throughout their married years, their life was full of love for their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

George leaves behind his wife of nearly 66 years, Shirley, the love of his life.
Children, all residing in Olathe, Kansas
Son Randy and wife Ginny
Son Ron and wife Pam
Daughter Renee and husband Jeff
Grandchildren
Stacey Zebley, Elissa Field, Matthew Wagner, Kate Sorak, Anne Sorak, and Mitch Dallas.
Great Grandchildren
Van Zebley, Tahviana Sorak, Bella Sorak, and Cayden Dallas

He was preceded in death by
Parents, John and Sylvia Wagner
Sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Harold Durham
In laws, Bill and Edith Rokey
Brother-In-Laws, Russell Gillen, Royd Harding, and Tim Conner
Nephews, Joel Hearron, Wesley Kirchhoff, and niece Rachel Kirchhoff

George worked at Morrell for 22 years, and Wormhoudt Lumber for the remainder of his working years. He attained the rank of Master Sargeant during his 26 years in the National Guard. He was a long-time member of the Davis Street Christian Church, and a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge 347 in Ottumwa, where he served as Exalted Ruler.

George was an outgoing man who never knew a stranger. No matter where he went, he always seemed to know someone, even finding people he knew at the Statue of Liberty in New York City, and the Kapoc Tree restaurant in Tampa, Florida. Throughout his life, he loved all sports, especially basketball and golf, dancing with Shirley, and very competive card games with family and friends. He was known as a jokester and great storyteller by everyone who knew him. He and Shirley traveled frequently, going on several cruises, journeying to Hawaii and Bermuda, and he loved attending shows in Branson, Missouri. The highlight for George was a five-day cruise with his children and their spouses to celebrate his 80th birthday.

George leaves a void in his family and will be missed by all who called him neighbor or friend.