James “Jim” W. Wagner, 84, St. Cloud

October 12, 1932 - June 28, 2017

James”Jim” Willard Wagner, age 84, St. Cloud, MN died Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, St. Cloud, MN.

Funeral services will be Saturday, July 8, 2017 at 11:00 AM at First United Methodist Church, Sartell, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Burial will be in Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls, MN. Funeral arrangement were made by Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud, MN.

Jim was born October 12, 1932 in Raymond, MN to Frank and Gladys (Rhuby) Wagner. He graduated from Raymond High School in 1950. On August 22, 1953 Jim married his high school sweetheart Mary M. Essendrup at First United Methodist Church, Raymond, MN. Jim served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from March 1951 to March 1954. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars, United Nations Service Medal and Occupational Medal Meritorious. Following his discharge Jim was employed in a variety of positions with Bell Telephone Company for 32 years.

Retirement allowed Jim time to volunteer for many positions at First United Methodist Church, Telephone Pioneers and the community. He and Mary traveled with many tour groups and enjoyed visiting sites in the United States as well as many locations outside of the country. Jim was a member of First United Methodist Church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, square dancing and coffee and card games with friends and family.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Wagner of St. Cloud, MN; son Timothy (Ann Marie) Wagner of Estes Park, CO; daughter Debra (Craig) Maki of Marshall, MN; brother, Bill (Sheryl) Wagner of Richfield, MN; sister, Joyce (Lloyd) Hanson of Willmar, MN; and five grandchildren, Kent and Brant (Mieke) Wagner, and Brooks (Christina), Mitchell and Kiley Maki; and one great grandchild, Gideon Maki

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Gene and Ron Wagner, sisters LaVonne Jones and Sharon Wagner, and grandsons, Brent and Bradley Maki.