Colleen "Coke" Wagner

Colleen “Coke” Wagner, age 94, passed away on December 25th, 2023 at her home in Des Moines, Iowa.

Coke was born on April 16th, 1929 in Oskaloosa, Iowa to Gerald and Della (Almond) Friend. The family later moved to Des Moines where she graduated from North High School in 1947.

Coke was an accomplished musician and as a young lady played the accordion and drums in an all girl band called “Morrow’s Melodians”. She later worked for Bankers Trust, Interstate Power Company and eventually retired from the Polk County Courthouse.

She met and married her first husband Jim Kinney, a drummer in an all guy band, and they had 2 sons, Jim and Gary. She later married Verne Haubert, a patrolman for the Ankeny police department who was tragically killed in an automobile accident in the line of duty. Third time was a charm for Coke when she married Bob Wagner, her loving husband of 51 years.

Coke was known for her love of sports, especially the Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes. She also enjoyed bowling, crafts, and was a collector of clowns. Every morning, Coke looked forward to getting the newspaper and doing the daily Jumble puzzle.

Coke is survived by her beloved dog and best friend, Lexi; her sons, Jim and Gary Kinney; her grandchildren, Kristin Reeves, Brett Kinney, Brian (Crystal) Douglas and Jason (Heather) Douglas; 8 great-grandchildren; 1 great great-grandchild; nephew Mike (Teri) Wagner; former daughter-in-law and friend Diane Miller; and a very special neighbor, Alan Wisniewski, who checked on her every day the last couple years of her life and took care of her yard and home.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her sister, Betty Bowlby.

Per her wishes, there will be no visitation or memorial service.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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