Kathleen Joy Wagner

July 10, 1949 - August 20, 2016

Kathleen Joy Keily Wagner, age 67, of Park Falls, died Saturday August 20, 2016, at home, surrounded by her family. Kathy was born on July 10, 1949, the second child of George and Marion (Smart) Keily. She was raised on her parents’ dairy farm in the Town of Agenda, along with her older brother Larry “Bud” and younger sister Wendy. She attended Butternut school and graduated in 1967. Kathy attended Viterbo and Northland Colleges. In 1971, she married Louie Wagner and became a loving bonus mom to his three daughters, Sally, Peggy, and Stephanie. Together, she and Louie had three more daughters, Wendee, Barb, and Becky. Kathy worked as the parts manager at Wagner Ford in Butternut, at Pamida, and at Fuhrman Insurance. Throughout her life, she drove school bus, she sewed projects for various charitable organizations, and she spent hours outdoors working on the yard. She loved to read and she always made sure the neighborhood squirrels had their fill of peanuts. She spent many hours caring for others throughout her life, and in a volunteer capacity for people she would never meet. She was the church organist at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Butternut, and worked with the ladies’ quilting guild at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Butternut. She was a member of the Flambeau Hospital Auxiliary and worked at the Auxiliary thrift shop in Park Falls. She donated time, energy, goods, and services selflessly wherever and whenever she saw a need. Countless people have been touched by her cards and messages throughout the years. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, George and Marion, and her brother, Larry. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Louie; her sister, Wendy (Gerald) Hetzel; her bonus dad, John Linsmeyer, and her Linsmeyer brothers and sisters; six daughters: Sally (Karl) Fink, Peggy Schmidt, Stephanie (Al) Schwertfeger, Wendee Wagner, Barb (John) Hogue, and Becky (Joe) Bablick. She has left a legacy of love in her grandchildren: Samantha Minzer, Megan Earlywine, Tyler Schwertfeger, Megan (Andy) Kramas, Wyatt Bruch, Rachel Bruch, Lauren Bruch, Andrew (Jenna) Mertig, Michael Mertig, Jeanna Scanlon, Brandon Bablick, and Norah Bablick; and in her six great-grandchildren: Brooklyn, Jace, Hailey, Mia, Ace, and Benedict. Kathy will long be remembered for her compassionate and giving nature, her incomparable work ethic, and her devotion to her family and friends. Funeral services will be held on Saturday August 27, 2016 at 10:00 am from Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Butternut. Fr. Shaji Pazhukkathara and Deacon Bob Schienebeck will (co)officiate. A visitation will be held on Friday August 26 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with a prayer vigil at 7:00 pm and on Saturday August 27, 2016 from 9:00 am until the hour of the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made in Kathy’s name to Flambeau Home Health and Hospice. The Novitzke Funeral Home is assisting the family.