Gertrude "Vera" Elvera (Benson) Wagner

Gertrude Elvera “Vera” (Benson) Wagner was born in Ault, Colorado, August 24th, 1931. She was the youngest of 7 children in the Benson family along with sisters Esther, Edna, Edith, Helen, Elsye, and brother Nels (Bud).

After graduating from Ault High School she married her high school sweetheart, Wally Wagner. They were married on New Year’s Eve 1949 as they wanted to have their golden anniversary when the calendar struck the year 2000. They were married for 58 years until Wally’s passing in 2008. During their marriage, they lived in Ault, Montrose, Arvada and Grand Junction CO. Vera worked as a telephone operator (yes when they had those!), teacher’s aide, and administrative clerk at the Treasure’s offices in Mesa and Montrose Counties.

Vera had many passions but one of her greatest was music. She loved to play and listen to the piano. She also loved clogging. She and Wally also loved to travel and went on numerous Elderhostel adult education trips as well as numerous other adventures. She was able to explore many different countries including, but not limited to: Canada, Mexico, Spain, many Caribbean islands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Costa Rica, Panama, and Morocco as well as many places in the United States.

Vera departed this life on Saturday, August 16, 2025. She is survived by her daughter Deborah Hackley, and her son Todd Wagner. She also leaves behind seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Nels and Edla Benson, her husband Wally Wagner, her 6 siblings and her son Bob Wagner.

Vera’s memorial service will be held at 10 am on Saturday, 11 October at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary 2515 Patterson Road, Grand Junction CO. There will also be an interment ceremony @1 Pm at the Grandview Cemetery in Montrose CO. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St Judes Children’s hospital at https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=home-btn-donate-now.