Mr. Fred Imre Wagner, of Warrenton, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 9. He was born on January 14, 1927, in St. Louis, to the late, German Immigrants, Fred S. and Marie (nee: Bohus) Wagner. Fred had reached the age of 96 years.
Fred was raised in St. Louis and graduated from South Side High School (now known as St. Mary's) in 1945. Fred proudly served our country in the United States Army beginning in 1946, serving in the Philippines. After returning from the military, he was united in marriage to Betty Lou Kiehn in 1949. They enjoyed 51 years together before her passing in 2000. This union was blessed with two sons. The family moved to Florissant in the late 1950s and remained there until the 1980s. When Fred was near retirement, after working at Southwestern Bell since 1949, he and Betty moved to Warrenton. He was an active member of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Warrenton for many years, He enjoyed being outdoors, working on carving wood, and going fishing. He was united in marriage to Alberta Borchardt on September 7, 2001, in Warrenton. They enjoyed spending their retirement together for the past 22 years. Fred was devoted to his church and his family.
Fred Wagner was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Wagner; his parents, Fred and Marie Wagner; one son, Charles Evan Wagner; and one sister, Helen Heigl. Those family members who will remain grateful for having shared in Fred's life are his loving wife, Alberta Wagner; son, Fred Wagner Jr. and wife Leslie, stepson, Neal Cronin and wife Patricia; 6 grandchildren, David (Melissa), Timothy (Tina), Benjamin (Becky), Rachel (Nik), Chris (Michele) and Matt (Kristi); 13 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a host of other close relatives and family friends.
A Celebration of Fred's life will be held on Thursday, March 16, from 9 A.M. - 10 A.M. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Warrenton. There will be a Memorial Mass held for Fred on Thursday, March 16, beginning at 10 A.M., also at the church. Memorial donations made in honor of Fred Imre Wagner are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association c/o Martin Funeral Home.
