TOMAH - Donald “Donnie” Wagner, 91, of Tomah died on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at the Serenity House in Tomah. On August 22, 1932, Donnie was born to Albert and Sophia Wagner in the Township of Adrian. He was baptized on September 4, 1932, and confirmed in 1946 at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church. He was a member of Tomah Senior High School’s Graduating Class of 1950. He was united in marriage to Esther Schild on January 8, 1955, to this marriage were born 2 children, Jolene and Lynette. Later Donnie was united in marriage to Lois Callahan on October 14, 1977, at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church. He worked at Exopack for 33 years until his retirement in 1994. Donnie was a Tomah Sports enthusiast and enjoyed watching the Hagen Sports Network and was the Tomah Booster Club Fan of the Year in 2006. He went to every baseball game he could. The last ballgame he was able to attend was arranged by Hospice Touch, where he was able to watch his great-grandsons play baseball at LaGrange. He enjoyed working at the Tomah Tractor Pull, driving tractors in area parades, and going to Horse Pulls. Donnie drove a moped for many years and was nicknamed the “Moped Man.” He was a lifetime and faithful member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church and served as the Head usher. Donnie volunteered countless hours helping with the maintenance of the church for many years. Donnie always had time to visit with his friends. He had an excellent memory and could always remember where someone came from. He loved spending time at family events, especially watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports. He will be sadly missed by all that knew and loved him.
Donnie is survived by his wife, of 46 years, Lois; a daughter, Lynette Wagner; stepdaughters, Laura (Russell Sherwood) Callahan, Elizabeth (Michael) O’Brien, and Kathryn (Bill) Rediske; grandchildren, Miles Lamb, Michael (Meenakshi Rao) Rutlin, Kathryn Rutlin, Matthew Rutlin, David Gray, Angela (Jon Thompson) Gray, Samuel O’Brien, Tierney O’Brien, Patricia Rediske, Cassandra (Jake) Grothe, Chelsy (Hoby) Rainwater, and Alex Rediske; great-grandchildren, Avi, Darian, Devon, Laryiah, Maxton, Finn, Ethan, Ava, Connor, Lily, Brecken, Milly 2 sisters-in-law, Doris Remen of Onalaska, and Ellen Kuderer of Fairmont, MN, 2 brothers-in-law, Donald (Mary) Peth of Cocoa Beach, FL, and Ken Peth of Aurora, CO, many other relatives and friends.
Donnie is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Sophia; daughter, Jolene; grandson, Damian Miller; a stepdaughter, Linda Rutlin, a brother-in-law Harry Peth, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, April 11, 2024, 11:00 A.M. at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 525 Superior Ave. Tomah. Pastor Korey Van Kampen will officiate. Burial will be at the Oak Grove Cemetery.
Relatives and friends are invited to call on Thursday at the church from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the service. Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com. The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home
