Wilbert 'Wag' Wagner

Wilbert "Wag" Wagner, 96, a longtime resident of Culbertson, passed away Thursday evening, November 5, 2020 at Community Hospital in McCook. He was born on March 20, 1924 to Dan and Mollie Wagner on the farm in Hitchcock County. He spent his childhood on the family farm north of Culbertson and attended rural school through the eighth grade. Wag went on to graduate from Culbertson High School with the class of 1941, he then attended McCook Junior College for two years. In 1943, Wag enlisted in the United States Navy. He served in the South Pacific during World War Two and was honorably discharged in 1946. On February 2, 1947 Wag was united in marriage to Patty Burton. They spent their married life in Culbertson where Wag worked for a ditch company as a dragline operator and also farmed with his father. Wag and Patty raised their children, Robin and Ty in the Culbertson community. Wag was active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, serving as commander of the local post and also attending many national VFW conventions held in different cities across the United States. He was also an avid bowler and active in the Masonic Lodge and Shriners International. In 1979, Wag and Patty moved to Lincoln where he became the Nebraska State Veterans Service Officer. He served in the position under Governors Charles Thone, Kay Orr, and for a short time with Ben Nelson. Wag retired in 1992 and he and Patty returned to their home in Culbertson. He never completely "retired", as his love of the farm would not allow him to be idle. He would help his son and son-in-law whenever extra hands were needed, driving trucks at harvest or moving machinery from field to field. In the summer of 2016, Wag and Patty made their final move to McCook where they lived in an apartment at Brookdale, now Kinship Point. Wag was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Arlene, Marjorie, Lillian, and Charlotte; son-in-law, Richard Lomax; sister-in-law, Millie Burton; and numerous aunts and uncles. Survivors include his wife, Patty of McCook; daughter, Robin Lomax of Culbertson; son, Ty Wagner and wife, Pat, of Culbertson; brother-in-law, Kenneth Burton; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. (CT), Monday, November 9, 2020 at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Culbertson with Pastor Alisa Parde officiating. Interment will follow services in the Culbertson Cemetery with full Military Honors. Visitation will be on Sunday afternoon, November 8, 2020 from 2:00-6:00 P.M. (CT) at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. . In lieu of flowers, memorials in Wags name are suggested to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital or to the Nebraska Childrens Home Society in Omaha. Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel is entrusted with arrangements. Visitation Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel Sunday, November 8, 2020 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM 607 Norris Avenue McCook, Nebraska 69001 Funeral Service United Methodist Church Monday, November 9, 2020 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM 502 Colorado St. Culbertson, Nebraska 69024