Lisa Wagner

Lisa Marie Wagner (Fischer), 51, of Spirit Lake, IA passed away peacefully while surrounded by her family and children on Friday, June 30, 2023. A visitation will be held at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel in West Des Moines, IA beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Friday July 14, 2023 with her celebration of life service at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Resthaven Cemetery.

Lisa was born on November 17, 1971 to Dr. Frederic Richard and Mrs. Susan Marie (Skaar) Fischer in Lincoln, NE. A birthdate she shares with her eldest son, Keegan. She grew up in Audubon, IA where she fell in love with the piano, horses and acreage life. There were many weekends spent exploring the area on her Shetland pony and traveling to horse competitions. Lisa also enjoyed spending time at their family lake home at Crandall’s Beach on the north shore of Big Spirit Lake.

Lisa attended Audubon High School until her senior year when her family moved to Spirit Lake, IA. She graduated from Spirit Lake High School in 1990. Following graduation she attended Iowa State University for her freshman year and graduated from the University of South Dakota with her undergraduate degree in Biology. Lisa also obtained a Masters Degree in Natural Sciences and a Masters Degree in Organismal Biology. Following the flood of ‘93 Lisa recorded the first lily pad species in the Iowa Great Lakes while taking classes at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory. Upon graduation Lisa taught at Iowa Lakes Community College, Northwest Iowa Community College and Buena Vista University. She also was a volunteer for the Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children in Dickinson County. The list of Lisa’s accomplishments and good deeds in the community could carry on indefinitely.

The greatest joy and accomplishment of her life are her children. Doug Wagner and Lisa share three amazing children together, Keegan, Cade, and Keiran. Lisa’s love for the sciences, outdoors, and teaching led her and the kids on many fun and educational adventures around the Iowa Great Lakes. They made wonderful discoveries about nature by finding and learning about salamanders, bull frogs, leopard frogs, toads, painted turtles, snapping turtles and of course snakes! All of those experiences in nature helped foster the same love she had for the sciences in her children. When they weren’t exploring, you could find them with fishing poles on Papa Dick and Grandma Sue’s dock. Lisa loved everything from boat rides to bonfires on the beach with her family.

Lisa was passionate about many things including music, golf, traveling, the Iowa Hawkeyes, the San Francisco 49ers and the Republican Party of Iowa. She enjoyed the political campaign season and worked hard assisting campaigns at the local, state and national level.

Lisa is survived by her children, Keegan, Cade and Keiran of Spirit Lake, IA; her parents, Dick and Sue Fischer of Clive, IA; sister, Cathy Fischer-Hess (Chris) and their son, Theo of Boise, ID; three brothers, Garrett (Joy) and their children, Morgan, Garrison and Katie Sue of Windsor Heights, IA; Garth (Anne) and their children, Eden, Avery, and Gabe of Basehor, KS; Grant (Sara) and their daughter, Gwen of Urbandale, IA.

In lieu of flowers donations may be given to People For Pets in Spencer, IA. www.peopleforpets.org

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