Willodene Wagner

Willodene Mae Wagner ascended to heaven in the arms of the angels on Tuesday, February 16, 2016, at Parkridge Specialty Care Center in Pleasant Hill, IA. Services will be held on Monday February 22, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at Hamilton’s on Lyon St. Burial will follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Willodene was born on June 26, 1927, in Ft. Dodge, IA to James Byron Wood and Marjorie Mae Hamilton Wood. Even though she was a child of the depression and had many hard times, she had a happy childhood and learned how to accept with grace all that they had. This attitude stayed with her throughout her life for she was a gentle beautiful soul up until the day she passed.

In 1944, she married Phillip Hunt and six children were born of this union: Jerry, Phillip Jr., Marjorie, Hope, Rick, and Debra. In 1950, the family moved to Des Moines. In 1959, she married Herbert Wagner and four children were born of this union: twins David and Dennis, Randy, and Melody.

Willodene spent 18 years of her life caring for Denny, who was born with severe cerebral palsy. The doctors suggested she have him institutionalized but she refused to accept it. He needed 24 by 7 care and she provided it faithfully and steadfastly for his entire life.
When she was 48 years old she entered the workforce for the first time in her life. Being a single mom, it had to have been overwhelming and frightening but she did it with grace and dignity. In fact, she loved working and continued to do so until she was 75 years old. She worked for most of her years in the bakery at Younker’s downtown and in the kitchen at Luther Park Retirement. Her favorite part about working was being with her co-workers and friends. She’s attended Simpson United Methodist Church since 1975.

She loved to sit on her deck and watch the birds, and small animals that would wander by.

Willodene is survived by her children, Marjorie Robertson, Hope (Larry) Herrmann, Rick (Ronda) Hunt, Debra Anderson, Randy Wagner, and Melody (Kirk) Millang. She is survived by her grandchildren, Bobby Robertson, Jennifer Clark, Jason Haag, Sarah Hunt, Charles Hunt, Christina Padgett, Eddie and Scott Hunt, and Kelcie, Lisa, and Jerry Hunt Jr. In addition she’s survived by Randy Wagner Jr., Brianne Wagner, Melissa (Tony) ODonnell, and Reed Crowley and 17 great grandchildren.

Willodene is survived by her sisters, Maxine (Merlyn) McKillip and Freda Kammeyer, and brothers, Leeland (Pat) and Jack Wood.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sons, Jerry and Phillip Hunt Jr., and David and Dennis Wagner; grandsons, Matthew Hunt, James Robertson Jr.; and brothers, Dale, Ronnie, and Bob Wood.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Parkridge, especially Carleen, Cassidy, Jessica, and Woody for the special care mom received in her short time there.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 21st at Hamilton's on Lyon Street in Des Moines. Memorial contributions can be made to her church, Simpson United Methodist, or to the Alzheimer’s Association.

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