Mary Beth Wagner, 85, Rush Center, passed away Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, at Hays Medical Center, Hays.
Mary Beth was born July 1, 1938, in La Crosse, the daughter of Cyril P. and Marie B. (Jira) Schmidt. She was a lifelong resident of Rush County, Kansas. A 1956 graduate of La Crosse High School, La Crosse, she was co-owner of Red’s Recreation, and an administrative assistant for many years before her retirement.
Mary Beth loved her family, and especially enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s activities, no matter what they might be. She was a talented seamstress, the family genealogist, and enjoyed her flower garden and house plants.
On June 9, 1961, she married Lloyd W. “Red Fox” Wagner at Junction City. He preceded her in death Oct. 29, 2013.
Survivors include: three sons, Tracy Wagner (Sue), La Crosse, Terry Wagner (Julie), Rush Center, and Ted Wagner (Lisa), Pawnee Rock; one daughter, Tanya Pierce (Dean), La Crosse; one step-son, Preston Wagner (Maribeth), La Crosse; two stepdaughters, Linda L. Redona (Raul), Palm Springs, Calif., and Tammy Wagner, Rush Center; grandchildren, Ashley Boone (Spencer), Matthew Wagner (Dekota), Sarah Riedel (Aaron), Marissa Wagner, Tessa Pierce, Cole Pierce, Blake Pierce, and Danielle Wagner; great-grandchildren, Milo, Coen, Adalyn, Lane and Maverick; step-grandchildren, Melissa, Nicole, Amber, Jessica, Chris, Patrick, Saria, and Caladonia; 26 step-great-grandchildren; four brothers, Gary Schmidt, La Crosse, Richard Schmidt, La Crosse, Joe Schmidt, Wamego, and John Schmidt, Hoisington; and her faithful companion and best friend, Poncho.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; son, Travis Wagner; step son, Mark Wagner; three step grandchildren, Jason Wagner, Samuel Kelley, and Kacy Addams; three brothers, Mark Schmidt, Michael Schmidt, and Galen Schmidt; and two sisters, Judy Addams, and Debbie Hollis.
Visitation will be Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 7 p.m.
Church visitation will be Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. at Hope Lutheran Church, Rush Center.
Funeral service will be Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Hope Lutheran Church, Rush Center, with Rhonda Templing, S. A. M. officiating. Interment will be in Hope Lutheran Cemetery, Rush Center, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorials to Hope Lutheran Cemetery, Rush Center, Kansas, or the Rush County EMTs.
Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.janousekfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.