Anita was an honor graduate of the Glencoe High School Class of 1955. She attended Macalester College and Mankato State University and received her degree in Elementary Education. Anita was passionate about learning and inspiring others. She devoted many years to teaching and shared her gifts with students in Fargo, Hutchinson, and Brownton before she retired in 1997.

On June 6, 1959, Anita was united in marriage to Elroy Wagner at First Congregational United Church of Christ by Reverend Donald L. Chapman. The couple made their home in Hutchinson before moving to Brownton. Anita and Elroy were blessed with two children, Mark and Julie. In addition to being a loving wife and devoted mother, Anita managed Wagner Weddings and Gifts in partnership with Wagner Pharmacy. Anita and Elroy’s personal and professional lives reflected their strong desire to support one another while serving God, their church, community, and country.

Anita was a faithful and active member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ and Brownton Congregational Church of Christ. She held leadership roles as the Sunday School and Vacation Bible School Director, Women’s Fellowship Leader, Memorial Committee Chairwoman, and Confirmation Mentor.

Anita was an enthusiastic trip planner and frequent traveler. She especially loved visiting the Hawaiian Islands, vacationing at Florida’s Walt Disney World, and sailing aboard the Disney Dream. In June 2014, Anita and Elroy celebrated their 55th Wedding Anniversary with a private family dinner and spectacular fireworks display at The Brown Derby Restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park.

Together with family and dear friends, Anita enjoyed numerous on stage performances at Chanhassen Dinner Theater, Old Log Theater, and State Theater. In June 2019, Anita and Elroy celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary with family as they enjoyed a beautiful afternoon of piano music in the home of Lorie Line and an exquisite private dinner at Lord Fletcher’s on Lake Minnetonka.

Elegant entertainers and gracious hosts, Anita and Elroy lovingly opened their home and lake home to family and friends who always received a very warm welcome, shared wonderful food and drink, and delighted in recalling memories. Anita acknowledged anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, and special accomplishments with heartfelt messages. She found great joy in the visits and phone calls she shared with family and friends. Having accepted Elroy’s marriage proposal on Christmas Eve 1955, Anita’s love for celebrating Christmas continued throughout her life as her family gathered for a traditional Swedish dinner, candlelight worship service, and exchange of “simultaneous” gifts.

Anita and Elroy were blessed to enjoy 64 years of marriage demonstrating a beautiful example of living a life that honored God, one another, and others. As they promised, in their June 1959 Wedding Day vows, they loved, honored, and cherished one another each day God granted them together.

Anita’s greatest joy was her family and she dearly cherished the time she shared with her husband, children, grandchildren, and extended family. Her love for her family was evident to all. Anita delighted in attending the baptisms, dedications, and confirmations of her grandchildren. She proudly celebrated academic achievements and high school, college, law school, and master’s degree graduations. She frequently attended vocal, band, and orchestra concerts, piano recitals, dance shows, public speaking events, and athletic competitions. The June 2022 marriage of her granddaughter, Jessica, and her husband, Branden, brought Anita tremendous joy. The precious family photograph taken that day will forever be a treasured keepsake.

Anita Louise Allen Wagner, age 86, of New Ulm, formerly of Brownton, was peacefully called home to Heaven on Thursday, April 18, 2024 surrounded by the family she so dearly loved. Given Anita accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, we are assured she is now in Heaven. Anita’s legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of all who were blessed to know and love her. She will be dearly missed.

Those who will cherish Anita’s memory include her loving husband of 64 years, Elroy Wagner; son, Mark Wagner and his wife, Karen, of Chanhassen; daughter, Julie Petersen and her husband, Mark, of New Ulm; grandchildren, Joshua Petersen, Jessica Kral and her husband, Branden, Jordan Petersen, Alexandra Wagner, and Amelia Wagner; brother, Lloyd Allen of Hutchinson; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Bev and Ron Pepper of Sun City, Arizona; sisters-in-law, Lorlie Erickson of White Bear Lake, Sally Wagner of Grand Junction, Colorado, Jean Wagner of Hutchinson, Esther Wagner of Cosmos; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Anita was preceded in death by her father, Howard Wesley Allen, and mother, Florence Alvina (Johnson) Allen.

A very special thank you to the care teams from Allina Hospice, Allina Home Health Care, New Ulm Medical Center, and Vista Prairie at Ridgeway on 23rd who graciously shared their compassionate care with Anita and her family.

In honor of Anita’s life, Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8, and from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 9 prior to a Celebration of Life Service, all at Christ the King Lutheran Church in New Ulm. Pastor Timothy Anderson will officiate. Family and friends are invited to gather for a luncheon in the Fellowship Hall prior to a private family graveside service in the Glencoe City Cemetery.

To view the online obituary, share a memory with the family, sign the guestbook, or view the live stream Celebration of Life Service please visit: www.mvfh.org.

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