Gifford Leroy Wagner
December 30, 2011
Gifford Leroy Wagner, 77, died Friday, December 30, 2011. Services will be held on Wednesday, January 4, 2012, at 2:00 p.m., at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 3, 2012, from 5 to 8 p.m., also at Hamilton’s.
Born February 23, 1934, to Bernard and Bernice Wagner, Giff grew up in Des Moines and served in the US Army from 1955-57. He owned Giff’s 5th Street Pub in Valley Junction and was an avid Hawkeye and Chicago Cub’s fan.
Giff was loved by many and will be greatly missed by his wife, Helen; son, Wade Wagner; daughters, Joyce Wagner and Carol Tomek; step-daughter, Brenda Muetzel; step-sons, Mike Renda, Curt Renda and Martin Renda; 13 grandchildren and Jakey; 11 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; sister, Barbara Stout; brothers, Bernard Wagner, Ivan Jeffries and Gary Jeffries; and like children to him, all the loyal staff and patrons of Giff’s 5th Street Pub. Giff was preceded in death by his parents, and daughter, Diane Wagner.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the VFW.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Bob Aguiniga
01/04/2012
Giff, thank you being so kind to me at all times. We will all miss you
tremendously. Giff you worked so hard to make the 5th St. Pub what it is
today. Your image and name will NEVER diminish at the Pub.
Giff you did your best for your family, friends and patrons at the 5th
St. Pub. We will never forget you. Rest in peace and God Bless you Giff.
Bob Aguiniga
Shawn Duminy
01/04/2012
Giff you will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I will truly miss you and your always positive attitude. You were one of the truly good guys, always willing to help those who needed it. Met everyone with a smile and never forgot a name. You always treated me great and was always interested in what was going on in my life. Rest in peace. Shawn
Greg and Carol
01/03/2012
You will be greatly missed. GO HAWKEYES!
Cindy Blincow
01/03/2012
We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Gif. We are neighbors to the north of you, and are so sorry for your loss.
beverly
01/02/2012
i will always love you and miss you grandpa R.I.P
Jim Miller, on behalf of Historic Valley Junction
01/01/2012
Giff was a tremendous person to have as one of our very favorite merchants in Historic Valley Junction. Always welcoming, always kinds, always a great supporter of the events and projects we hosted in the district. We will miss him cooking in the walkway at Farmers Market, and he was an early financial supporter of Smokin' in the Junction, Gallery Night and Artstop. Here's to great tacos, warm comfort food, cold beer and sports all around. You are missed Giff!
Kathy Potts-Winger
01/01/2012
My thoughts are with Gif's family and friends. He was always so gracious and the life of the party whether it was back in the old days of him selling me Guys Chips at Hy Vee or welcoming me in his Pub. No matter how many years went by and I didn't see him...if I stopped in at Gif's he could strike up a conversation and remember every detail of the past, like it was yesterday. He will be truely missed by all that knew him.
Ron(Bouncer)and Pat Bishop
01/01/2012
Sorry for your loss. Giff was a good friend. We are thinking about you.