JoAnn Wagner

Tuesday, August 4, 2020 3:28 pm

JoAnn Wagner, 72, of rural Calmar, died suddenly at her home Friday July 31, 2020. Mass of Christian Burial is at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at the St Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar, with Rev. Robert Gross presiding. The service will also be livestreamed at facebook.com/CFOSparishes. In consideration of concerns regarding Covid-19, social distancing and wearing of masks will be observed during funeral service.

JoAnn Eleanor (Franzen) Wagner was born June 29, 1948, to Raymond and Marion (Deetz) Franzen. She graduated from De Sales High School in Ossian in 1966. She attended business school in Mankato, Minn. and then worked in Cedar Rapids at Collins Radio. JoAnn married Darrell Wagner Jan. 26, 1969, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian, one day late due to a blizzard. Together they farmed south of Decorah for five years then they bought their farm west of Calmar. In addition to working on the farm and being a great mom, she worked at Kwik-Star, CFS School lunch program, South Winneshiek High School as a teacher’s aide and was a member of the Calmar Library Board. In addition to her passion for gardening, she enjoyed baking and puzzles. Her first and foremost love was for her family and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. JoAnn always had a smile on her face and was ready to share a sweet treat with anyone who came over.

She will be remembered for her large gardens, delicious cookies, and her gift for making people feel loved and cherished.

JoAnn is survived by her husband, Darrell; children: Todd (Mary) Wagner, Calmar; Eric Wagner, Dallas, Texas; Amy (Brian) Stodola, Marion; Lori (Ryan) Holthaus, Mason City; grandchildren: Christina (Jared) Pick, Andrew, Rebecca, Lindsey and Noah Wagner, and Grace Stodola; great-grandchildren, Emaleigh and Charlytte Pick; siblings: Mary Ann (Don) Witt, Ossian; Roger (Janet) Franzen, Fort Atkinson; Ron (Jean) Franzen, Fort Atkinson; Gary (Danette) Franzen, Ossian; Bruce (Lois) Franzen, Ossian; and Clair (Christine) Franzen, Coggon; in-laws: Dennis Reicks, Cresco; Rick Wagner, Ridgeway; Jim (Nancy) Wagner, Cedar Rapids; Jeanne and Konrad Verlsteffen, Coral Springs, Fla.; Janice Balk, Waucoma; and Randy (Cheryl) Wagner, Ft, Atkinson; along with many nieces and nephews.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Marion (Deetz) Franzen; mother and father-in-law, Edward and Gladys (Huber) Wagner; brother-in-law, Mark Balk; sister-in-law, Judy Reicks and sister-in-law, Myrna Wagner.