Wagner, Orville - 1915-2011

DRESHER, DURKES, MCCLURE, WAGNER

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 9/8/2024 at 13:33:11

Orville Wagner, 96, died peacefully on Monday, December 19, 2011 at Spurgeon Manor in Dallas Center. Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service celebrating Orville's life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church in Dallas Center, where the family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Private committal services will take place at a later date at Brethren Cemetery, east of Dallas Center.
Orville was born in Bismarck, North Dakota on February 6, 1915 to Horatio and Alma (Durkes) Wagner of Sterling, North Dakota. He lived on a farm with his parents and older sister, Hazel B. a couple of years before moving with his family to Sterling. When their mother passed away in 1922, Orville and Hazel moved to Dallas Center, IA making their home with maternal grandparents Henry & Eliza (Dresher) Durkes and their mother's sister Bertha Durkes. Their father and Grandmother Durkes died in 1930. Hazel passed away in 1937 and Grandfather Durkes died in 1940.
Orville attended public school in Dallas Center, graduating from Dallas Center High School in 1933. He attended Iowa State College (University) in Ames, Iowa for three and one-half years before he started farming one mile south of Dallas Center. He was united in marriage to Margaret Irene McClure on February 14, 1937 at the First Presbyterian Church in Dallas Center. She survives at Spurgeon Manor. One son, Robert Orville was born to this union. Orville farmed for 48 years, until ill health forced him to retire. After Margaret's retirement, they moved to Green Valley, Arizona, where they made their home for 24 years. In June of 2003, they moved back to Dallas Center to Spurgeon Manor, just three-fourths of a mile from the family farm. He was recognized as a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Dallas Center for more than 80 years, where he served as both an Elder and Deacon. He was a 50-Plus year member of the Masonic Bodies and Za-Ga-Zig Shrine. In his spare time, Orville enjoyed woodworking, hunting, fishing, bowling, traveling and spending time with friends and family.
He is survived by his wife Margaret Wagner of nearly 75 years; son, Robert Orville Wagner and his wife, Joy of Saint Joseph, MO; two grandsons, Dr. Robert Hampton Wagner and his wife Loree of Broomfield, CO and Jonathan Hayden Wagner and his wife Laura of Milliken, CO; three grandchildren, Sydney and Calvin Wagner both of Broomfield and Hayden Wagner of Milliken. Orville was preceded in death by his parents; four grandparents and sister.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the First Presbyterian Church or Spurgeon Manor.
Arrangemets By Iles Funeral Homes ~ Brandt Dallas Center Chapel.
Published in Des Moines (IA) Register; Sunday, January 8, 2012, page 9B