Fred Wagner

Fred Wagner, 96, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 19, 2018 after living a long, happy life. Fred was born in 1922 in Fort Morgan, Colorado to Gottfred and Mary (Dolberg) Wagner and was one of 18 children. He received his education in Colorado. In 1938, the family moved to Hardin, Montana where he worked on the family farm, which instilled in him a lifelong drive to work hard. In 1943, he helped the Fries family move to Harrah, WA in the hopes of winning their daughter, Esther’s heart. Here he began working for the Yakima Sheep Company and proposed to the love of his life. The couple was married on April 8, 1944 in Yakima and spent 74 wonderful years together. They made their home in the Harrah/Wapato area where Fred farmed until 1964 when he went to work for the Mt. Adams School District as a Bus Driver and Custodian, both of which he greatly enjoyed. In 1979, he retired and became a partner in a grape business. The family moved to Yakima in 1994, but Fred could still be found out driving the grape harvester into the late 1990’s and finally sold the business in 2002. Fred was a member of the Harrah Assembly of God Church. His favorite activities were hunting, fishing, camping, family gatherings and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Kids brought him such joy. Fred was a good provider, husband and father. He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Esther of Yakima, 4 sons, Jerry (Judy) of Selah, Rick (Renee) of Yakima, Don (Candy) of Wapato and Jim (Kim) 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. Six sisters, Millie Herman, Esther Ozmun, Alice Ramsey, Pat Carpenter, Edna Wagner, and Violet Rexroth and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Gottfred and Mary, six brothers, Gottfred, Ed, Dave, Jake, Allen and Robert, five sisters, Shirley Dardano, Gladys Weber, Lydia Fisher, Molly Pfenning and Betty Kauffman. The family would like to thank the staff of Memorial Home Hospice and 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 Fred’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 Fred 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 Fred Wagner, please visit our flower store.