Susan Wagner

Susan Elaine Wagner, 50, of Mansfield, died Wednesday, July, 14, 2010 at MedCentral Hospital. Born November 9, 1959 in Mansfield, she was the daughter of Louis and Mary (Sawhill) Nemeth. She worked as a registered nurse at MedCentral Hospital.

She is survived by her husband, Blake D. “Doug” Wagner, Jr.; sons, Blake D. Wagner, III, Brenton P. Wagner, and Brandon L. Wagner; mother, Mary Nemeth; sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and Loren Owens of Lexington; brother, Louis “Louie” Nemeth, Jr., of Mansfield; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Blake Sr. and Gere Wagner; sister-in-law, Lynn and Mike Wood of Wheaton, Illinois; four nieces; and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Louis Nemeth.

Mom, if God had a template for the perfect mother and wife, it would be you. Always caring, always loving, always oriented toward the good in everyone and everything. No matter what weakened state your body was in, you always hid your suffering from us. You never let it dampen your enthusiasm for life, or your love for family and friends. We literally never heard you complain or question why this burden was placed upon you. Your faith was unwavering, your hope absolute. You always insisted, “Don’t worry about me, I’ll be okay.” And now Mom, you are okay. Your body is whole and healthy. As Chris Tomlin sang to us two weeks ago, “No more sorrow, no more pain. I will rise on eagles’ wings.”

No one exemplified Christ’s love for us better than you. Playing “Pizza Lady” and board games, preparing blueberry pancakes while camping at Mohican, hosting BONCO parties, walking along the beach at Cape Cod, (we did get you to body surf once!), and jogging at the park with Sahalie and Brewster—you always made ordinary days into extraordinary ones. In the final days of your life, you told us that although we may feel angry at God, He is not to blame. And when we feel fear or sadness, we can pray to Him and He will provide comfort.

On the ringtone of your cell phone are lyrics from the Newsboys which capture the essence of your spirit. We will close with them here:

“Glorious, shining so glorious. Though I stumble, though I fall, You remain glorious. Towards Your light I come running.”

Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 18, 2010 at Crossroads Community Church, 1188 Park Ave. West, Mansfield, Ohio 44906. Friends may also call one hour prior to the 11 a.m. funeral service Monday at the church. Burial will follow in Ontario Cemetery. Donations may be made to Crossroads Community Church in Susie’s name and will be directed toward Women’s Ministries. Wappner Funeral Directors is privileged to serve the family of Susan Wagner.