Leo P. Wagner
Tuesday, February 1, 1927
Date of Death:
Friday, September 27, 2024
Age:
97 years old
Visitation
Date: Friday October 25, 2024
Time: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church [ view map ]
Memorial Mass
Date: Friday October 25, 2024
Time: 5:00 pm
Location: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Millville Cemetery [ view map ]
Livestream of Memorial Service
Click here to see the livestream of Leo's Memorial Service
https://www.youtube.com/live/J4moF4d-Z2U
Tuesday, February 1, 1927
Date of Death:
Friday, September 27, 2024
Age:
97 years old
Tuesday, February 1, 1927
Date of Death:
Friday, September 27, 2024
Age:
97 years old
Leo P. Wagner
Leo Peter Wagner, 97 of Rochester passed away peacefully on Friday September 27, 2024, in his sleep in the home that he and his wife Alice designed for their final years.
Leo was born February 1, 1927, to George and Carrie (Trentz) Wagner in Dubuque, IA, the fifth of 10 children. He attended Holy Ghost Grade School, Sr. High School, and Loras College in Dubuque.
He moved to Rochester in 1953 to attend the Methodist/Kahler school of nursing, where he met his wife, Alice. They graduated together in 1955. They were married November 13, 1954, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Rochester. They resided in rural Rochester and also farmed near Millville on her family farm.
He completed a degree in Nurse Anesthesia at the Mayo Clinic. He worked at St. Marys in Orthopedic Surgery as a Nurse Anesthetist and Supervisor until his retirement in the 1980’s. In his early years, he had the honor of administering anesthesia for surgeons Dr. Charles Mayo and Dr. Waltman Walters.
After retirement, he remained active volunteering for Mayo Medical Missions for 37 years. He and Alice attended craft shows and the Rochester Farmer’s Market for 35 years, selling their handmade woodcrafts and garden produce.
Leo always enjoyed the outdoors whether it be farming, gardening, hunting, fishing or agate picking. He loved sharing his outdoor adventures and taught by example.
He was a good steward of the land, planting thousands of trees and incorporating conservation practices on the farmland.
He is survived by four sons Lynn (Jacque), Dan (Pam), Pete (Joan), George (Janine) four daughters Dianne, Mary (Kevin) Richardson, Patty, Peggy (Ken) Scott, nineteen grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by siblings Mary, Walt, and Helen.
He was preceded in death by his wife Alice (2012) son Earl (1997) and siblings George, John, Tony, Joe, Margaret, and Dorothy.
The Memorial Mass for Leo will be held on Friday, October 25, 2024, at 5:00 PM at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Celebration of life will be held after the Mass in the St. Claire Room at St. Francis. Interment will be at a later date in Millville, MN.
Leo donated his body to Mayo Medical Science Research.
The family would like to thank Dr. Ryan Hurt, Dr. Juan Bowen, Mayo Palliative Care, Home Instead and CORAM for their excellent care and compassion.
In memory of Leo, we suggest you plant a tree, make a donation to Rochester Medical Missions or your favorite charity.
Macken Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com
Blessed be his memory.
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Condolences
The family of Leo P. Wagner has received the following condolences.
We are so sorry to hear about the death of Leo .please know we will keep u in our prayers at this difficult time.
Sincere sympathy, Geri ( Theisen)and Al Buelow
Leo had the most beautiful smile. I feel privileged to have known him, Helen and Diane. And I have one of his hand crafted items which I will treasure forever.
To the entire Wagner Family: You have our condolences for Leo’s passing. I (Pam) have had the privilege of being a neighbor to the Wagner’s for many years. Leo and Alice were there for me during my childhood, from bandaging me after Cochise nibbled on me to watching me if my Mom and Dad were late from work. After I became an adult and moved back into my childhood home next to Wagner’s, they became great neighbors to our family. They helped our daughter when she needed help after getting locked out! I can’t say enough wonderful things about Leo. We enjoyed talking over the fence about our gardens growing to Leo driving the golf cart over asking us if we could help at the farmer’s market a couple times! He always enjoyed a beer or two here and there. His beautiful crafts, which we are happy to display each Christmas season. Blessed be his name. Prayers to the whole Wagner Family. Your patriarch is once again united with his beloved Alice!
Leo welcomed me into nurse anesthesia in 1967. He influenced countless lives in positive ways including mine. I am not able to attend the service. Know I loved him and am keeping you each close to my heart.
With shared love,
Jerry Porter
Dear Peg and Ken and the extended Wagner family,
We are deeply saddened to hear that Leo has passed. In 1974, I started my Anesthesia education at St. Mary’s Orthopedic Surgery section. Leo was my main Supervisor and instructor.
He taught me the art of Anesthesia techniques and the most important element; to stay calm in the stressful environment. I took his teaching to heart and tried to emulate him when I became a clinical instructor.
Something I learned from his Obituary was his love of trees and the environment. I have planted hundreds of trees in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
He definitely was a pioneer in progressing Anesthesia care and demonstrated mutual respect in all he did.
He invented the scavenger system for exhaled gases and what a contribution to the art and science of
Anesthesia care in the World.
we loved Leo, and in sadness of his loss, we celebrate his great life!
with kindest regards,
tom and Shelley Dobbe
On behalf of the Eddie and Vi Reiland family please except our condolences. Such a wonderful man we all got to meet at church on Sunday's and selling his wood carvings at the Fall Festival. God gained another angel....hugs to all of you.