N. Leon Wagner

Funeral Services for N. Leon Wagner, age 85, of Norfolk, will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at Christ Lutheran Church in Norfolk.  Reverend Cal Kapels will officiate.  Burial will be in New Lutheran Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by United States Navy Honor Guard, VFW Post 3602 and American Legion Post 88.  Visitation will be Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Home for Funerals Chapel, 708 Georgia Avenue.  The Funeral Service will be livestreamed on the funeral home’s website.  Home for Funerals is in charge of arrangements.

He passed away Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk.

Norman Leon was born on August 31, 1937 in Stanton, NE to Norman Phillip and Leona Augusta (Goetsch) Wagner. He was baptized on October 10, 1937 by Rev. Herbert Hackbarth and later confirmed on May 20, 1951 by Rev. L. F. Groth at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Stanton. 

Leon attended St. John’s Lutheran School in Stanton, Madison County and Stanton County Schools and graduated from Stanton High School in 1955.  After graduation, Leon enlisted in the U.S. Navy on July 12, 1955.  He served at Great Lakes Naval Station and his last year was spent as a hospital corpsman at Tripler Army Hospital in Hawaii. He was honorably discharged on July 31, 1958. When he returned home from the service, he was employed by Beatrice Foods-Meadow Gold Milk.  In September 1962, he began employment with Metz Baking Company-Old Home Bread as a salesman. He retired in 1992 after being employed 30 years.

On June 7, 1959, he was married to Barbara Siecke at Christ Lutheran Church in Norfolk, NE by Rev. Albert Bostelmann. The couple were blessed with three children. Leon served as a trustee and on the finance committee at Christ Lutheran Church. He was a Cub Scout leader and was active in Jefferson School PTA, receiving the honor of Lifetime Membership. 

Leon enjoyed bowling, camping, gardening, fishing and cooking. He was a Nebraska football fan and a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan.  He enjoyed traveling and spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Barbara, children Valerie (Brad) Yates of San Diego, CA, Vicki (Kent) Wohlers of Fort Collins, CO and Vance (Suzi) Wagner of Fort Calhoun, NE. Grandchildren Anne (Ryan) Grabowski of Kearney, NE, Brooke (Kris) Wohlers of Denver, CO, Lindsay Yates of San Diego, CA, Grant Wagner and Lydia Wagner of Fort Calhoun. Great Granddaughters Grace and Averie Grabowski of Kearney. Sister Phyllis Musser of Elkhorn, NE and nieces, nephews and cousins.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents, stepfathers, William Polenske and Gilbert Scalph and a brother-in-law Merle Musser.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christ Lutheran Church or Lutheran High Northeast.

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