Memorial services for Wilbert J. Wagner, age 87, will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, at the First Lutheran Church, Ellendale. The Rev. Arne Halbakken will officiate. Interment will be in the First Lutheran Cemetery, Ellendale, at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26. Friends may greet the family one-hour prior to the memorial service at the church on Tuesday. Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Wilbert died on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2002, at St. John’s Lutheran Home.

Wilbert Johann Carl Wagner was born on Dec. 6, 1914, in Herron Lake, the son of Louie and Sophia (Hage) Wagner. He came to the Albert Lea area as a teenager and worked at various jobs around Freeborn County as a young man. On June 14, 1939, Wilbert was united in marriage to Ruby Hatle in Hartland. They farmed in the Hartland area for many years, retiring in the early 1980s. Wilbert stayed active after his retirement doing custom farm work for Lyle Wayne and delivering the Sunday morning newspaper. Wilbert was a member of the First Lutheran Church of Ellendale. He enjoyed bowling, hunting, fishing, pitching horseshoes, and dancing.

Survivors include his children: Gerry and his wife Marilyn Wagner of Los Olivas, Calif., Judy Wagner of Minnetonka, Janice Kemble of Owatonna, Dan and his wife Linda Wagner of New Richland, Rick and his wife Lonnie Wagner of Hartland, and Toni Wagner of Albert Lea; ten grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Louie and his wife Ila Wagner of Rochester; sisters: Burdell and her husband Leonard Schmidt of Lakefield, and Lorrine Christensen of Owatonna; sister-in-law, Lenore Finseth of New Richland; brother-in-law, Orville Hatle of Iron Mountain Mich.; and nieces and nephews.

Wilbert was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ruby; his sister. Sadie and her husband Warren Beighley; sister-in-law, Ardis and her husband Tony Madson of Hayward; and his brothers-in-law: Lawrence Christensen, Ellsworth Hatle and Noel Hatle.