Grete Wagner

Grete Gauweiler Wagner was born on November 7, 1935 in Hannover Germany to Robert and Thea Gauweiler. Grete passed into the arms of her loving savior, Jesus Christ, on October 7th, 2022 just shy of her 87th birthday.

She was no stranger to adversity and her youngest memories were that of the war and the tragic execution of her father, for speaking out against the war, when she was only 9.

She spent the majority of her younger years after the war in the small town of Hardegsen. She attended business school where she studied English and became a stenographer.

After working for several years at an engineering firm in Hannover, in her early twenties she decided to leave the crowded apartment where she lived with her siblings, head to England to work for the British Railway hotels and improve her English. In 1961, her dream to travel to The USA was realized when she was hired as a cook/housekeeper for a family in Southern California. Soon after arriving in California she met her husband Bob and they married in November of 1962. She gained her citizenship in 1968, eventually adopting 2 beautiful children.

After her husband’s death in 1989, she decided at the age of 50 to follow her lifelong dream of joining the Sheriff’s department. She then worked as a correctional services officer at a minimum security prison. She wanted to help others, give hope, and pray for those she served. She spent 10 years volunteering to visit prisoners, even taking one into her home for over a year.

She had the opportunity to travel throughout the world and served on two missionary trips. She lived in Laguna Niguel CA for 33 years before moving to Crowley, Texas to be closer to her family.

Grete was an amazing and dedicated wife, mother, homemaker, championship ping pong player, language student, and life of the party. She loved reading, walking her dog, the beach, tending her garden, and a enjoying a good coffee Klatsch.

Grete would say that her greatest joy in life was the day she received Jesus Christ into her heart.

Grete Wagner was preceded in death by her husband, Robert F. Wagner; father and mother, Robert and Thea Gauweiler; brother, Theo Gauweiler; and sister, Thea Linne.

She is survived by her siblings, Kathe Gross, Paul Gauweiler, and Walli Fasshauer; son, Rob (Charene) Wagner; daughter, Kimberly (Tim) Rivers; grandchildren, Mikel (Leah), Denae, Dakota, Caleb (Miranda) Wagner, Audrie Rivers; and great grandchildren, Everly and Warren.

Please come and join the family of Grete Wagner as we gather to honor and pay tribute to a wonderful mother and a beautiful life lived.