Esther Wagner

Esther Wagner, 93, went to join her husband Fred and Jesus on Friday, June 1, 2018. Esther was born in 1924 at home in Culbertson, Nebraska to George Jacob and Anna (Leis) Fries. She was the youngest of the couple’s eight children. The family moved to McCook, Nebraska when she was young and she attended a one room school until the 7th grade. In 1937, the family moved to Hardin, MT where she finished her education and graduated from Hardin High School. Esther met the love of her life, Fred Wagner, shortly before her family moved to Harrah, WA. Fred offered to help their family drive equipment from Montana to Washington when they moved and he decided to stay in Harrrah and ask Esther to be his wife. The couple was married on April 18, 1944 and settled down in Harrah where they lovingly raised four wonderful boys. Esther was employed by the DelMonte cannery for 27 years. She was a member of the Harrah Assembly of God Church where she was actively involved, especially in teaching Sunday School. Esther enjoyed spending time with her family, playing games and camping with her grandchildren and reading. She is survived by her four sons, Gerald (Judy) Wagner of Selah, Richard (Renee) Wagner of Yakima, Don (Candy) Wagner of Wapato and Jim (Kim) Wagner of Redding, CA, 11 grandchildren, Michael (Kirsten), Christopher (Janelle), Jonathan (Susanne), Steven (Anna), Andy (Mindy), Brandi (Fabian), Danny (Sarah), Jamie (Ben), Jennifer, Makenna Morgan and Madison and 17 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Jacob and Anna (Leis) Fries, her loving husband of 74 years, Fred Wagner, three brothers Vic, Dave and Harry, and four sisters, Alice Snyder, Lila Wagner, Marie Ramaker and Martha Schafer. The family would like to thank the Cottage in the Meadow for the exceptional care they provided. A private family graveside service will be held followed by a reception open to all who would like to celebrate Esther’s life on Sunday, June 10th at 2pm at the Harrah Assembly of God Church. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in remembrance of Esther to the Harrah Assembly of God Church, 3681 Harrah Rd., Harrah, WA 98933. To share a memory with the family, please go to Valleyhillsfh.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Esther Wagner, please visit our flower store.