Esther M. Wagner, 86, of 550 Graham Ave., died Monday, January 21, 2002 at Luther Hospital. She was born June 12, 1915 in Oakdale, Neb., to Max and Martha (Zutz) Wagner. After graduating from Oakdale High School in 1933, she moved with her family to Norfolk, Neb., where she did secretarial work and worked for several physicians. In 1951, she received medical technology training in Minneapolis, Minn. and became a certified medical technologist. In 1953, she joined Diagnostics Associates, a group of four internal medicine physicians in Omaha, Neb., where she worked for 29 years. After retiring in 1982, she continued to work part time there until 1985. \r\n Esther was a member of First Lutheran Church in Omaha, where she volunteered her time and talents for more than 40 years. After retirement, she traveled extensively in this country as well as in Europe and the Orient. She moved to Eau Claire in August 2000 after suffering a stroke and was a resident of Dove Healthcare Nursing and Rehabilitation.\r\n Esther is survived by her sisters, Berniece Wagner of Eau Claire and Irene (Alfred) Mangels of Winside, Neb.; her brother, Loyd (Donna) Wagner. M.D. of Sioux Falls, SD; her nephews, John (Karen) Mangels, of Winside, Neb, David (Sally) Wagner of Boulder, Colo., Steve (Mary Jo) Wagner of Cupertino, Calif. and Michael (Paula) Wagner of Sioux Falls, SD; her niece, Kathy Pieplow of Boulder, Colo.; and a number of grandnieces and grandnephews.\r\nShe was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Herbert Wagner.\r\nMemorial services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 24, 2002 at University Lutheran Church, at the Ecumenical Religious Center with Pastor Donald Wisner officiating. Esther's ashes will be interred in her hometown of Norfolk, Nebraska at a later date. Friends may call 9:30 a.m. until time of services Thursday at the church. Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral and Cremation Services is assisting the family.\r\nIn lieu of flowers, memorials to University Lutheran Church are preferred.

Service Information