Pauline Geraldine Leach Wagner was born Oct. 30, 1920, in Purcell, in Jasper County and passed away Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023. She was the fourth child of James and Harvey and Margrett Lamb Leach.
She was united in marriage to Alfred Louis Wagner, June 18, 1942, and to this union, eight children were born.
Pauline received Christ as her Savior at the age of 14 and was baptized. She attended Central Business College in Kansas City, and worked as a private secretary at Yellow Transit Company in Kansas City for three years while her husband was in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. While Alfred was in the service, she bought the A. C. Wagner farm outside Vienna where they raised seven children.
Pauline was a housewife and loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed sewing and quilting. She quilted for people in the United States and Canada. She attended quilted auctions in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Kansas, Wisconsin, and Missouri entering quilts and loved it. She was a member of Cuba Chapter 398 OES and also a member of DAR in Connecticut.
She was preceded in death by husband, Alfred, April 23, 2013; infant daughter, Barbara in 1945; daughter, Joanne Waterman Rios, Jan. 12, 2019; daughter, Janice Branson, June 6, 2023; son-in-law, Don Branson; father in 1946; mother in 1985; infant brother and sister; sister, Dorothy Williams in 2007; brother-in-law, Leonard Williams in 2008; brother, Harold Leach in 1987; and Harold’s wife in 1982.
She is survived by children, Owen and wife Beverly Wagner; son-in-law, Gil Rios; Janell Henry; Jane Honse and husband Wesley; Janet Johnson and husband Eric; and Everett Wagner and wife Debbie; 18 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 1, from 5–7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10–11 a.m. at Vienna Assembly of God in Vienna.
Funeral services will be Saturday, Dec. 2, at 11 a.m. at Vienna Assembly of God in Vienna, with Clifford Wagner, Jr. Pallbearers will be Randy Wagner, Jason Wagner, Josh Wagner, Ben Waterman, Andy Koch, Kyle Johnson, Ethan Johnson, and Tyler Johnson. Burial will be in the Rader Cemetery in Vienna.
Arrangements are under the direction of Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri.
