He was Papa Wagner to so many!  My own children considered him as such. The kindest soul, a smile that lit up his whole face. He will be so very missed. 
Thank you Russ for all the many things you taught us. Thanks for all the ways you showed us how to be better through your example of steady love and service to your family. 
I hope you are marveling up in heaven at Jesus’s carpentry work. I hope it’s blowing you away and is MORE than anything you imagined. 
And we all feel better knowing you are up there being ordered around by Mary, your love. May you rest easy Russ. We will always keep loving you from here. God Bless you and keep you.

Dear Michael, Kelly, and Family,

As the Director of Alumni Relations Emeritus, I offer you the sympathy and prayers of the Saint Viator High School community, as well as my own.  Our hearts go out to you as you begin your journey of grief.  We pray for you as you share the stories, laugh and cry, and find ways to celebrate your father, and the love you shared.

As I read the heartfelt Tribute Wall posts from Tony and Michael Hubka, as well as the obituary for this loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, and uncle, who served his country in the U.S. Army, I was reminded of a reading adapted from the Book of Sirach.

“Let us praise an illustrious man,
faithful to his family and friends, strong in his love.
At peace in his heart and his world,
he has left us his good name, and we recount his life of praiseworthy deeds.
A generous man his good works will never be forgotten.
Among his family and friends remains a rich inheritance born of him….
His name lives on from generation to generation.
We gather to sing his praises.
We proclaim his wisdom and love of life all our days.”

May God’s promise that life is changed, not ended, comfort you!
May the knowledge that your father, lives on in your goodness give you peace and hope!

Take care and God bless you with the gifts you most need!
Judy

Judith Wampach Amberg             
Saint Viator High School Director of Alumni Relations Emeritus

I do not think there is enough space here for all great memories that I have had with the entire Wagner family. Mike and I were really close during our high school days over at the St Viator and playing on 2 hockey teams together. All of the games, tournaments, traveling there are so many memories. Beyond hockey, he was a master carpenter that helped out my father on quite a bit of big projects, including building 2 sunrooms that both Mike and I had to dig out by hand. What a learning experience. The time spent with Mr Wags will forever be etched in my brain. He was truly a great man and will be missed severely.

We have so many fond memories of Russ and Mary and the entire Wagner family. Four friendship goes back 35 + years when our kids were in high school together and played on 2 Hockey teams at the same time. They were in the finals for St Viator and made state with the Chargers. Russ worked on many construction jobs I was involved with as well as many projects on my house and sons house. 
The road trips we took for hockey were so much fun. Russ and Mary were at the heart of every event. If someone didn't have a ride they were there to make sure that they were picked up and brought home. Can't count the times he would pick up my son for a game and bring him home when we couldn't get away from work. He always had a positive outlook and it would lift you up when you were down. It is very sad to hear of his passing. He will forever be missed. 
Tony and Linda Hubka

OBITUARY

Russel L. Wagner

25 December, 1945 – 6 April, 2024

Glueckert Funeral Home

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