Dr. Carl John Wagener

He was reunited in heaven with his beloved wife of 64 years, Mary Lou; his eldest son, Mark; his youngest daughter, Molly; and his grandson, Michael.

Carl was born to Hermann Eugene Wagener and Mary Frances Hughes Wagener on November 13, 1934, in Parker, South Dakota. He had one sister, Virginia, who was nine years older than him.

Carl enjoyed playing sports and participated in football, basketball, and track in high school. He also played the trombone in his high school band and enjoyed fishing and hunting with his father and friends.

Carl graduated from high school in 1952 and went on to attend the University of Nebraska, where he earned his degree before continuing on to dental school.

While in dental school, Carl and a friend were walking down the street when he spotted the soon-to-be love of his life, Mary Louise McCormick. He asked his friend, “Who is that pretty gal?” He later asked Mary Lou to attend a dinner function with him, and the two soon fell deeply in love. They were married on July 5, 1958. Dad affectionately referred to his beautiful wife as “Lou.”

Shortly after their wedding, Carl entered the United States Air Force as a commissioned officer and served from 1958 to 1961.

Carl and Mary Lou eventually settled in San Antonio, Texas, where they made their home and raised their family.

In September 1959, his first son, Mark Carl Wagener, was born. In April 1962, his first daughter, Karen Katherine Wagener, was born, followed by his second son, Michael Scott Wagener, in January 1964. Their youngest daughter, Molly Hughes Wagener, was born in January 1968.

Carl was a devoted husband who deeply loved his dear Mary Lou and a caring, loving, and patient father to his children.

He was also a devoted Christian man who raised his family to love and serve God. He lived out his faith through his actions, humbly serving others and setting an example of what it meant to live as a Christian man. Carl served for many years as an usher at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, and he and Mary Lou were active in serving their church community in many other ways as well.

Dad was a servant at heart. He was always willing to help, whether at church or simply wherever someone was in need. His faith was not something he merely talked about—it was something he lived. Through his quiet example, he taught his family the importance of faith, honesty, compassion, humility, and hard work.

Above all, Dad was completely devoted to Mary Lou. They shared 64 years of marriage, and he loved his beautiful gal deeply. Mary Lou passed away on May 19, 2023. After semi-retiring, Dad continued to practice dentistry one day a week at his office until 2018. He fully retired at the age of 83, and he devoted himself completely to loving and caring for his beloved wife, Mary Lou.

As a father, Dad was loving, patient, and kind. He loved each of his children with all his heart. He led by example and taught us, through the way he lived his life, how to be faithful, honest, compassionate, and hardworking.

Dr. Wagener was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Lou; his oldest son, Mark; his grandson, Michael; and his youngest daughter, Molly.

He is survived by his son, Michael; daughter, Karen; granddaughter, Hillary; grandson, Jayson; and great-granddaughters, Olivia and Sophia.

We will miss you every day, Dad. But we hold firmly to the hope we have in Jesus Christ—that one day we will see you again, along with Mom, Mark, Molly, and Michael, in heaven.

Until then, we will carry your love, your faith, and your example with us.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” 2 Timothy 2:7

We love you, dad.

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