Dr. Robert E. Wagner

Dr. Robert Earl Wagner, 99, of Glidden died January 30, 2020 at Accura Healthcare in Carroll, Iowa due to complications suffered in a fall on January 15, 2020.

Funeral services will be at 10:30am on Wednesday, February 5 ^th , 2020 at the First Presbyterian Church in Glidden, Iowa, with Rev. Rick Hamilton officiating.  Casket bearers will be Adam Wagner, Jason Wagner, Rob Wagner, Tyler Wagner, Nathan Wagner, and J.J. Wagner.  Burial will be in the Merle Hay Memorial Cemetery near Glidden.

Friends may call at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Glidden from 5 – 7 P.M. on Tuesday evening where there will be a Masonic memorial service at 7:00 P.M.

The casket will be moved to the church at 9:30 A.M. on Wednesday where visitation will resume until 10:15 A.M.  Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Glidden and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

Dr. Wagner was born on December 12, 1920 in his parents’ residence, 502 Idaho Street in Glidden to Dr. F. Earl and Lola (Horton) Wagner.  His schooling was at Glidden Consolidated School from which he graduated in 1938.  Following in his father’s profession, he enrolled at Iowa State College in the School of Veterinary Medicine, receiving his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in December 1943.

Dr. Wagner married Virginia M. Buddin, daughter of Everett and Minnie Buddin of Carroll on January 24, 1942 in the Methodist parsonage in Savannah, Missouri.  Upon graduating from Carroll High School, Mrs. Wagner joined him in Ames.  They were the parents of five sons (one died in infancy) and two daughters.

Upon graduating from Iowa State College they moved to Glidden where he practiced with his father until the fall of 1944.  They then moved to Titonka, Iowa practicing for one year before relocating to Coon Rapids where he practiced for nine years.  Upon his father’s death in 1954 the family moved to Glidden where Dr. Wagner took over his father’s practice.

In October 1965 he closed his practice in Glidden and accepted a position with the Veterinary Services division of the USDA.  His responsibilities included monitoring the eradication of disease programs and the regulation of livestock movement.

In July 1969 he was promoted and moved the family to Kearney, Nebraska where his responsibilities increased.  In 1976 after another promotion Dr. Wagner and Virginia moved to Jefferson City, MO where he supervised a staff of 37 veterinarians, inspectors and office staff.

He accepted a position with the Washington, DC Veterinary Services staff in 1982 resulting in a relocation to Bowie, Maryland.  He retired from that position in October 1986.  Dr. Wagner and Virginia moved back to Glidden in 1992 where they had purchased a home and had done extensive remodeling to it.

Dr. Wagner attended the First Methodist Church in Coon Rapids, played cornet in the CR Town Band, he was elected to the Coon Rapids School Board the day his father died.  In Glidden, Dr. Wagner served as President of the Booster Club, accomplishing several projects during his tenure including; street signs, purchase of a steer from the 4 County Fair which was the start of the annual Fall BBQ, he was instrumental in the successful Swimming Pool bond issue, developed the Glidden United Charities and other community projects.  He served on the town council and was Mayor for one term electing not to run for reelection.

Dr. Wagner was an Army Veteran, member of the American Legion, Carroll County Genealogical Society, CC Historical Society, 50-year+ member of the Masonic Lodge, Shriners and Order of Eastern Star.  The Wagner family was active in the Presbyterian Church, Skippers of the Mariners Group, an organization of young families in the Presbyterian church.

Dr. Wagner is survived by four sons; Robert E. II and wife Donna of Mt. Vernon, IA; Jeri L and wife Susanne of Thornton, CO; Curtis J. and wife Patricia of Carroll, IA; Roxanne M. Mason and friend Tim Mason of Jefferson City, MO; Janet R. Botsford and husband Steve of Kearney, NE; Kevin J. and wife Carol of Grand Island, NE; 15 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren, 3 great, great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.  Dr. Wagner was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia M., one son Richard B., parents Dr. and Mrs. F. Earl Wagner, one brother, Dr. Lloys H. Wagner and wife Frances; two sisters; Nadine Lindsay and husband Robert C., and Joyce Dankle and husband Duane.