Fredrick Allen Wagenaar

Born September 10, 1943 on a farm in Northwest Iowa between Sheldon and Archer. He was the third of ten children born to Michael and Mabel Wagenaar. He left his earthly body on January 21, 2023.

Pop grew up working hard on the farm. At the age of 18 he joined the Navy from 1961-64, he sailed to many places (Hawaii, Taiwan, the Philippines, Hong Kong). He saw one tour in Vietnam before returning home-but not before he gave his life to Christ in a rice field in Vietnam. He was a lifelong learner-always reading and returning that knowledge to other people. After returning state-side he graduated with a BA in Biblical Literature from Simpson Bible College (then in San Francisco, CA). He was instrumental in starting the San Francisco Hope Gospel Mission serving on the streets of San Francisco for one year witnessing to all. His proudest beginning was his contribution to the start of the organization Jews for Jesus in a telegraph room with Moishe Rosen in San Francisco, throughout his life he proudly displayed the early tracts they produced.

Returning to Northwest Iowa long enough to meet his bride, Diane Marie Corrigan, they united in marriage in Parkersburg Iowa and together they lived in California and Iowa. For 33 years they enjoyed each other to the fullest-raising three outstanding children, remodeling homes, weekend trips in their motorhome, trips to Europe and always coffee together- until her passing in 2009.

Among other jobs Pop was a longtime and faithful servant to Regis Middle School in Cedar Rapids Iowa. Pop was one of the first three hired to breathe new life into the building when it was transitioned from the former Regis High School to the middle school. He was an amazing man who could fix anything with just about nothing. Pop’s handy work (and occasional expletives that often accompanied his work!) will live on in the homes of his three children. He always had a song to sing and a story to share. Pop had a deep faith and wisdom that he was eager to share with all. It was Pop’s hope that all in his life would come to know Jesus as their savior. This was in his prayers constantly the last few months of his life.

Pop shaped his life around helping others. He knew no stranger and anyone who ever sat next to him on an airplane heard his entire life-story whether they wanted to or not! He was a fabulous singer (he went to boys all-state as a young man). He was known for singing well at church, in the mornings when he cooked, in the grocery store while shopping and any other place he felt moved. As he aged Pop especially enjoyed carpentry and woodworking. He frequently visited his son Tim in Massachusetts and daughter Hannah in Alaska. It was at home on the farm with his daughter Sarah that he felt most at home, feeding the chickens, cooking for the grandkids, washing dishes by hand and making cups of coffee for any visitors.

Fred is survived by his son Timothy (Kristie) Wagenaar of Sudbury, MA. Daughter Sarah Myers of Maxwell, IA and daughter Hannah (Chris) Noel of Denali Park, AK. His grandchildren Charlie, Violet, Paden, Clara, Celia, Haddi, Claet, Ellis and baby-to-be .

Fred was preceded in death by wife Diane, son-in-law Jacob Myers, parents Michael and Mabel, brothers Hank, Jim and Scrub. Memorial services will be held Saturday February 4th at 11:00 am at the Colfax Baptist Church in Colfax IA, with a luncheon to follow. Burial will be at a later date with family present.