Gerald “Jerry” Eugene Wagner, 80, passed away on Friday, March 22, 2024, at his home in Becker, Minnesota, from Alzheimer’s dementia. Jerry was born on April 15, 1943, in Trout Creek, Michigan, to Eugene and Marion (Besonen) Wagner. When Jerry was age 9, his family moved to Oak Creek, Wisconsin, where he grew up with his six siblings.
In 1965 he married Mary Elizabeth Hepokoski and they raised five children in Frederic, Wisconsin. Jerry owned and operated Wagner Surveying and Engineering for many years. He was an avid gardener and orchardist and loved spending time with his grandchildren in the garden.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary; daughters, Maija (Jim) Morris, Jennifer (Reijo) Harkonen and Josie (John) Axelson; and sons, Alex (Machell) Wagner and David Wagner. He is also survived by brothers, Richard (Marilyn) Wagner and Jon (Sheila) Wagner; sisters, Diana Ruuska and Julie Ekegren; brother-in-law, Robert Hietala; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and a host of brothers and sisters in faith.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gene; sister, Jill; and brothers-in-law, Vernon Ruuska and Jeff Ekegren.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 29, at the Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church in Dayton, Minnesota, with visitation starting at 11 a.m. Interment will follow the funeral service at Meadow Hills Cemetery.
Arrangements were made by Evans Nordby Funeral Homes, evansnordby.com, 763-424-4000.
