Mary Wager

Mary Wager of Dawson died from a sudden illness on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Johnson Memorial Care Center at the age of 84.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, February 5, 2024 at the Antelope Hills Christian Church in Canby, MN.

Visitation with the family will be on Sunday, February 4, 2024 from 5:00-7:00 PM with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM at Antelope Hills Christian Church. Visitation will continue one hour before the service on Monday.

Mary Jane Molly Wager was born on October 22, 1939 in Dawson, MN to Harold and Areta (Schmoker) Wold. She grew up in Dawson and graduated from Dawson High School in 1957. She loved school and friends and was busy with music and attending athletic events. After high school, she attended a lab technician school for a brief time. She was united in marriage to Paul Wager in Canby, MN on December 22, 1957. They lived in Brookings, SD for a few months and then returned to Dawson to farm. In addition to homemaking and raising 4 children, Mary made sure everyone who visited had a delicious meal and goodies. After selling the farm, she helped Paul start Tru Ag (TAC) Computers. She later worked in the assisted living complex in Dawson. The last 25 years helped Paul manage the Parkview Apartments in Dawson.

Mary loved Jesus! She was an active member of the Antelope Hills Christian Church. She taught Sunday school and VBS, played piano, and was part of The Sonshine Trio that performed around the region. She was very involved in Friendship Bible Coffees and Christian Women’s Fellowship.

Mary loved her family, son-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. She loved it when they would come and stay at her house. She loved playing cards and games late into the night, making favorite goodies, attending ballgames, programs and events. She loved to laugh! Her favorite thing was when her family would sing.

Mary was a sweet, kind lady. She was a great encourager. She always made people feel welcome and accepted. She modeled Christ’s unconditional love.

Mary was survived by her husband, Paul; children: Julie (Greg) Pederson, Canby, MN, Jon (Tammy) Wager, Dawson, MN, Aaron (Kerry) Wager, Rochester, MN, Alan (Linda) Wager, Huron, SD; 17 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law Betty Maynard and Bonita Brandon; brothers-in-law Curt Brandon and Nick Saoi and many nieces and nephews and wonderful friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother and sister-in-law Rollin and Rose Wold; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Donald and Marilyn Wager, brother-in-law Meredith Maynard; and sister-in-law Arlys Saoi.