Howard E. Wagner Jr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Howard Emery Wagner Jr., son of Howard Emery Wagner Sr. and Evelyn May (Murphy) Wagner, was born on July 29, 1936, near Oak, Nebraska. He departed this life on July 8, 2022, at Bryan East Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska, at the age of 85 years, 11 months, and 10 days. Howard lived on a farm one-half mile west of Oak, Nebraska, and attended country school north of Nelson along highway 14 until 6th grade. The family moved outside of Davenport where he then attended Davenport Public School graduating in 1954. On Dec. 26, 1954, Howard married Wyona Ficken at the Davenport United Methodist Church. After being married they lived in Shickley where Howard worked for Alfs Well Drilling. They then moved to Hastings where Howard served as a bell boy at a hotel and later got a job at Western Land Roller making irrigation pumps. He became very ill with chicken pox and was let go, so they moved to Davenport where he worked as a mechanic. During their time in Davenport, they had a daughter, Mary, who was born in Feb. 1956. Shortly after Mary was born the family moved to Gilead where Howard managed the local coop station. While living in Gilead they had their second child, Gary, who was born in Aug. 1960. The family moved to Byron where Howard worked at a fertilizer plant located on the NE/KS border. In 1965, the family moved to Bruning where Howard took a job at Casper Oil, the local service station. He continued working there through several ownership changes including Four Star Service and Norder Supply eventually retiring from Norder Supply in July 2009. In his spare time, Howard liked to play his guitar, ride motorcycles, work on old cars, trap shoot, and deer hunt. He loved adventure and traveling. Howard and Wyona would take their children on two week-long trips around to different states in the summer, eventually making it to all the 48 contiguous states. After their children, Mary and Gary, grew up and got married, Howard and Wyona continued that tradition and started taking their grandchildren on week-long trips. He and Wyona enjoyed many years being part of the Tour Nebraska group. He also enjoyed taking several motorcycle trips. Howard was a member of the United Methodist Church and a long-time member of the Bruning Fire Department. Howard was preceded in death by his parents Howard Sr. and Evelyn; sisters Shirley Hines and Linda Swanstrom; wife Wyona Wagner; brothers-in-law Bud Ficken, Wilfred Ficken, Oscar Kramp, and Allen Bongers; sisters-in-law Wilma Kramp and Cleora Ficken; and son-in-law Jim Houser. He is survived by his sister Jackie Ficken of Hebron; children Gary (Denise) Wagner and Mary Houser, both of Bruning; grandchildren Christina (Wagner) Henke and husband Kabin of Downs, KS, Erick (Jamie) Houser, Michael (Jordan) Wagner, and Lacey Wagner all of Bruning, Shellie Houser of Lincoln, and Jesse Houser of Dewitt; and 14 great-grandchildren. A Funeral Service for Howard was held on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Bruning, Nebraska. Pastor Warren Schoming presided over the Funeral Service. Jodi Meyer accompanied the congregation in the singing of “In The Garden,” “Precious Lord, take My Hand,” and “What A Friend We Have In Jesus.” Pallbearers included Michael Wagner, Erick Houser, Jesse Houser, Bill Behmerwohld, Larry Olson, and Mike Houser. Honorary Pallbearers included Shellie Houser, Christina Henke and Lacey Wagner. It was Howard’s wish to be cremated following the Funeral Service. There will be a private committal of ashes at a later date and Howard will be placed in the Bruning Public Cemetery next to his wife, Wyona. Farmer & Son Funeral Home was in care of the arrangements and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com Memorials are suggested to the Bruning Fire Department or the Bruning United Methodist Church.

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Howard E. Wagner Jr.

July 29, 1936 - July 8, 2022