Shirley Jean Wagner

Shirley was born November 25th, 1930, in Danville Illinois to Robert and Dorothy Nixon and the family eventually moved to Kansas City Kansas. She attended Wyandotte High School and then met John E Wagner Sr. After a short courtship the two married on January 27th, 1951 and began an eventful married life.

First came Pamela, then John Jr., Susan, and finally Jimmy. Shirley was a stay-at-home mother, (social chairman, chauffer, counselor, cook, and housekeeper) while raising her four children. She made sure everyone got where they needed to be for church, school events, sports, choir, and play dates.

Besides her love of entertaining at home, Shirley’s passion was traveling with her husband across the globe. There were few corners of the earth they didn’t visit and love seeing. Whether she was riding a camel in Morocco, drinking wine in Paris, at a tango club in Buenos Aires or on safari in Africa, treasures were always brought home for the kids.

Shirley also loved taking the family on summer vacations in Colorado and Wyoming. Space doesn’t allow for stories such as the time she shooed away a grizzly bear in Yellowstone. Like a mama bear, she always watched over her children. Later in life, she enjoyed taking the family on cruises in the Caribbean and Hawaii.

It brought Shirley great joy to have the family come to their home at the Lake of the Ozarks to BBQ, boat, tube, and play board games. Margarita’s poolside at 5:00 was a must. Her smile was as bright as the jewelry she liked to wear.

At Christmas she really shined as Mrs. Santa Claus with decorations galore. The tree was always surrounded with a mountain of gifts, and she relished the opportunity to play elf handing them out.

Shirley is survived by her children Pamela Siegert, John Wagner Jr. (Deborah Gifford), and Jimmy Wagner along with grandchildren Stacey Siegert, Ryan Siegert, Amy Molloy (Ciaran), Melissa Sanders, Matthew Sanders, John T. Wagner, and Ross Wagner. She also had five great grandchildren she adored: Violet, Fiona, Chloe, Marley, and Nova.

The family is certain she is in heaven with her beloved husband of sixty-nine years, John E. Wagner Sr. and their daughter Susan Sanders.

A private service will be held at Chapel Hill in Kansas City Kansas on March 26th at 11:00. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the charity of your choice or the Alzheimer's Association.

Many thanks to the staff of care givers at Bishop Spencer Place who cared for Miss Shirley. The family appreciates your professionalism.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.chapelhill-butler.com for the Wagner family.