Anita Wagener

Anita M. Wagener, age 90, of Faribault, passed away Monday, March 9, 2015 at the Pleasant Manor Nursing Home in Faribault.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 13, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the First English Lutheran Church in Faribault with the Rev. Joy K. Bussert, officiating. Interment will be held at the Meadow Ridge Memorial Park, Faribault.

Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault on Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Friday for one hour prior to services.

In lieu of flowers the family prefers that memorials be directed to Kid's At First at First English Lutheran Church in memory of Anita.

Anita Mae Widman, the daughter of Roy and Minnie (Olstinski) Widman, was born on May 27, 1924 in Minneapolis, MN. Her family moved to Faribault when she was 13 years old and she was confirmed at First English Lutheran Church in 1938. She attended Faribault High School and graduated with the class of 1942. After high school she attended Mankato State Teacher's College where she obtained her 2 year certificate and later her 4 year degree in Education. Anita began her teaching career at the Nerstrand School. It was during her tenure at Nerstrand that Anita met her future husband Bob Wagener at a school picnic. They dated long distance as Anita would move to Sleepy Eye and teach there for a few years. Anita eventually moved back to Faribault and they were united in marriage on June 27, 1948. She stayed at home to raise their children until they started school. Anita went back to teaching at that point also and would start at the Cannon City School and then move to Garfield Elementary in Faribault. She taught there until her retirement in 1984. Anita and Bob were active members at First English for many years, Bob ushering and Anita teaching Sunday school. She also was active with the Ladies Aid activities and other committees at church. She was a member of the Red Hat Group and the Home Extension Group, both which she loved dearly. Bob preceded her in death on December 21, 1992.

She is survived by her two children, Jerry (Nancy) Wagener of Spirit Lake, IA and Julie Kelsey of Northfield, MN; by four grandchildren, Danny (Natalie) Wagener, TJ (Tina) Kelsey, Rhonda Kelsey and Tony Wagener; by her great granddaughter, Cora Wagener; by her sister, Carol Lee of El Paso, TX and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, son-in-law, Steve Kelsey and brother-in-law, David Lee.