Karl Valentine Wagner
March 22, 1922 ~ February 7, 2011
Karl Valentine Wagner, 88, of Cedar Rapids, died Monday, February 7, 2011, at the Hiawatha Care Center. Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 10, 2011, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, by Rev. Christopher Podhajsky. Visitation from 4 - 8 p.m. Wednesday at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with a rosary at 7 p.m. Burial: St. John's Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. He is survived by his wife Faye; five children, John (Karen) Wagner, Bill (Debbie) Wagner, Karla (Gary) Pawlicki, Gerard (Trudy) Wagner, and Doug (Heather) Wagner; ten grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and sisters, Hilda, Agnes, Marjorie, and Wilma. Karl (also known as Rusty) was born March 22, 1922, on a farm near Eastman, Wisconsin, the son of Henry Theodore and Delphina Elizabeth (DuCharme) Wagner. He was married on July 14, 1953, to Faye Germaine Meyers, at St. Mark's Catholic Church in Edgewood, Iowa. Early in his adult life, Karl was a farm hand, a Roman Catholic brother in a Capuchin Monastery, and a ranch hand in Montana. He became renowned as the bass player and singer for Leo Greco and His Pioneers. Karl was with Leo's Country and Western ballroom band for over 18 years. After retiring from the band, he went on to work as a lumberman at Heabel's Lumber Company and Loftus Construction. Karl's Christian faith was of the utmost importance in his life and he was a servant of God in the truest sense. For years he both sung in and led a church choir and also led the congregation in singing hymns and reciting rosary from the lectern. He cherished the love of his family and was a faithful friend and mentor to many. Karl was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Klein Karl who died shortly after birth; sister, Marie; and brothers, Joseph Aelred, Melvin, Harold, and Willard. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be used towards the memory garden at the Hiawatha Care Center. A special thank you to the staff at the Hiawatha Care Center, Dr. Mary Anne Nelson, and the staff and volunteers at the parishes of St. Wenceslaus and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton for the compassionate care provided to Karl.
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We are very sorry to hear about Karl’s passing. Please let us know if you need anything.
John and family, I am sorry for your loss. Please know that you will all be in my thoughts and prayers.
We sent your best to all the Family, Wish we could have been with you at this very speical time.
Lois&Jess
Dombeck & Hollenbeck
172 Thomas Ave
Prairie Du Chien,53821
608 -326-0097
loujess@centurylink.net
Thinking of you and praying for all of you!
Gib and Mary
Our deepest sypathy to the whole Wagner family. The world has lost a very gentle soul and the void will be noticed.
My deepest sympathies to the whole Wagner family with a special hug for Karla. My prayers are with you at this time of loss.
Uncle Karl was a gentle soul who brought joy to so many, and had a deep love for his family, both immediate and extended. I cherish his memory. I am so fortunate to have known him and his wonderful family.
A Loving Uncle
When I was little, my Dad and Mom ‘shared kids’ with their brothers and sisters. For us, this was wonderful: Cousins would arrive on our farm in the summer, and they’d stay for weeks! How great is that? It was fantastic. We’d build tree forts, play hide and seek in the haymow, get into all sorts of trouble, and then there were nights like a slumber party with stories shared by flashlight… And there were more hands on deck for all the everyday chores, always a welcome thing.
It was so great to have Uncle Karl and Aunt Fay’s kids over, they were such great kids! Even cooler, to me: Sometimes I was invited to go stay with them in Cedar Rapids.
I didn’t have a lot of cousins my age, and so I wasn’t invited to stay with many other cousins. I was always too little. But Uncle Karl and his family made me feel welcome. Really, really welcome.
We’d get treats at a dairy stand, have back yard cook outs, play with the neighborhood kids, and they had a really neat architectural feature in their home: a real banister! Newel post and all. Whee!!! And at the end of the day, Uncle Karl would gather us together in Karla’s bedroom and say goodnight prayers. He’d kneel right down with us, and after “amen” there would be hugs and hair tousling and maybe a kiss on the forehead.
How can a kid feel “strange” after that?
So when I think of Uncle Karl, I think of how loved and embraced he made me feel at such times.
When I visited him at the Nursing Home I doubt he associated me with that awkward little girl. But he welcomed me as his sister’s daughter, and made me feel just as loved.
Faye and family…Read Karl’s obit in the paper today..my thoughts and prayers are with you. My father, John Rizer played with Karl and Don Rhines Ridge Riders years ago. Can remember seeing you at the dances and then getting married..you had a twin sister? Sandy Rizer Kent–Manchester, Iowa
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. May he be at peace and your family share the many memories.
Terri and Andy Shifflett
SENDING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY. HE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL WHO KNEW HIM.
We are sorry to lose Uncle Karl. May God give him his just reward near Him in heaven.
John,
I am so sorry to hear about your dad. It sounds like he was a truly wonderful man and I’m sure you will miss him very much. May God bless and keep you during your time of sorrow.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family at this difficult time. It was a pleasure to have known him. He was always busy doing something. He done a lot for my Dad, Jack Bates. Thanks.
You have my deepest sympathy. He was a wonderful man with a great sence of humor. We sure had some good conversation and good times with him and your mother.
My sympathies to the family. Karl was always willing to fill in as cantor when we were short a singer at Immaculate Conception. I’ve missed seeing him these last few years. He was a wonderful, holy man.
John b ,We’re very sorry to hear of the loss of your father.Our thoughts and prayers are with you. The Lee’s
Sorry to hear about Uncle Karl. You have our Sympathy We are in Texas for winter so won’t be able to come to services.
Karl & Faye were always involved parish members. I will remember him with fondnest and shall offer Mass for his soul.
Dad & I really enjoyed getting to know Karl at HCC.
I could tell he was kind, gentle soul the first time I met him. He didn’t say much most days but sometimes I could get him to have a conversation with me and I learned a little bit about his family and how much he missed his wife. I never met her but she is probably a wonderful person also. God bless each and every one of you. Karl
loved you all and I know he will be greatly missed. I know I will miss sitting next to him at meals. He was sweet and always a gentleman, helping the lady at his table with her chair and tying her clothing protector at each meal. Our sympathies to you all
First Airport Visit with Uncle Karl
Uncle Karl and Aunt Faye let me come to stay with them during the summer, which was a real treat. Leaving the farm and experiencing city life was like going to a friendly foreign country. One day, Uncle Karl loaded up all us kids in the car and drove to the Cedar Rapids Airport in that great big station wagon they had. In those days, the airport had an outdoor patio upstairs where people could go and watch the jets land and take off. This was the first airport I ever saw. I was delighted and amazed! The jets were so big! And so close! My cousins told me I should stand near the rail. I didn’t realize this was a dare. When the exhaust thrust of a departing 727 hit me, it was an experience I’ll never forget! I have seen many airports in my life, all over the world. But the first one was with Uncle Karl, and I remember it the best!
My sympathy goes to all your family at this time. Karl and My Dad shared many memories this last year, at Hiawatha Care Center. Karl always had a ” Hi Dorothy” every time I came to visit my Dad. He will be missed by everyone.
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Very sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Karla, John,Karen,Doug and Family,
Sincerest sympathy in the loss of your dad, and grandfather. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
All our Luv,Don and Sue Novakf
I’m so sorry for your loss. I have very fond memories of our families getting together and how kind and gracious your dad was.
God Bless
Brenda
John, please express my deepest condolences to you and your family. I had not met your father, but knowing you I am sure he was a kind and giving man.
I like this quote and believe it to say it best: “When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. ~Kahlil Gibran”
May your father rest in peace.
Jeff and Family
My dear friend Karla and family. I am very sorry for your loss and my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Your Friend
Barb
To Rusty’s family, Like so many in the NE Iowa area I grew up watching Rusty as a part of Leo Greco’s band on televison and even had the opportunity to see him live with the band back in the the early 1960’s at the Moose Lodge in Charles City. I still enjoy listening to his voice every Sunday on Leo’s WMT radio program. I just wanted to say how sorry I am for your loss. May God bless all of you and may He guide and comfort you in the coming days. Thanks for sharing your husband, father, and grandfather to all of us!
Gary Parson
Clarksville, Iowa
We are very sorry to hear about your loss. Please accept our condolences.
Jerry and Lori Vogel
Sorry we were unable to attend Rusty’s funeral, as we were in Hawaii at the time. My heart goes out to all of you. Shirley
My deepest sympathies to all of the family and friends. May the peace of God be over you all and His strength be lifting you up.
Love from Rich and Sue Wagner and Family
Racine, Wisconsin
Rest in Peace humble servant.