Mary A Wagner

Mary Wagner April 5, 1929-January 4, 2026. Since her arrival in Cheyenne, Wyoming on April 5, 1929, Mary Wagner has charmed generations of friends and family with her sunny personality and kindness. She grew up in that prairie town, the daughter of a railroad engineer and a homemaker, Fred and Ivy Gustin. With one older brother Bill Gustin, she danced her way through school until she met her one-and-only, Bill Wagner. He was a handsome high school football player who first asked Mary for a date when he lost a coin toss - she was the consolation prize. But after that first date, they were both convinced their love was the real deal. Mary and Bill married in Cheyenne on June 12, 1949, and were married for 68 years before Bill passed away in March of 2017. The couple moved from Wyoming to Oregon in 1953, after Bill’s military service ended. During their years in Oregon, they raised three kids: Kirk Wagner (Cherri), Karen Lewis (the late Steve Lewis), and Kris Wagner (Dave Rubey). Bill served his new home State as an Oregon State Police (OSP) officer, and the Wagners moved from town to town as Bill was promoted. With each move, Mary made life-long friends all over Oregon. Then, with the kids all out from underfoot and launched on their own happy lives, Bill retired from OSP in 1982, and it was game on. Mary and Bill really enjoyed their retirement. Mary had an incredible green thumb, and created a garden oasis around every one of their homes for the enjoyment of many. They traveled extensively on their series of motorcycles, seeing much of the United States and western Canada from the comfortable rumble of first Harley Davidsons, then Honda Goldwings. Mary always perched behind Bill, game for anything anytime anywhere. They even belonged to a square dance club known for arriving at out-of-town dances on their big noisy dressers. When Bill was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the couple sold their last Oregon home and moved to Bend, OR to a beautiful congregate living community where Bill could have Memory Care if needed. But right up to the very end, Mary cared for him in their independent living apartment, taking every bit of the responsibility for his loving care. Through her selflessness and devotion, she made sure every day of his life was filled with comfort and love. After Bill passed, Mary moved to Arizona to live with youngest daughter Kris and her husband Dave. When Mary began spending full-time in a wheelchair (at age 94) she moved to High Gate Senior Living in Prescott, AZ, just minutes from Kris and Dave. There she continued to charm new friends and enjoy family visits. She was especially fond of her grandson Cody Lewis, his wife Kelly, and Mary’s great granddaughters, Claire and Avery Lewis. Mary’s last chapter was filled with loving family visits, excellent care and support from her High Gate community and truly amazing care from Arizona Life Hospice of Prescott. She requested no service. Remembrances may be made to Arizona Life Hospice. Arrangements