Edward W. Wageman

Edward William Wageman was born May 26, 1933, in Buck Grove, IA to Edward and Magdalena Wageman. He was raised in Defiance, IA and graduated from St. Peter's Catholic School. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and stationed in Anchorage, AK where he was a member of the U.S. Army Band. Ed grew up in a musical family and possessed a natural talent for music. His mother enrolled him in a piano lesson with a local nun in exchange for a pound of butter and that was the end of his formal training. Ed showed great promise, continuing his musical journey, teaching himself to play the piano, saxophone, and many other instruments. He played in numerous bands, including the Earl Russell Orchestra at the age of 16, the Red River Valley Band and the American Legion Band. Ed loved all things music and was a gifted musician and entertainer. He loved to entertain, singing and playing the sax and piano at parties, in variety shows, and in nursing homes. He loved to dance and was the life of the party.

Ed enjoyed talking with people, honing those skills through the years he spent in sales.

Ed started his sales career while owning a Standard Oil station, sold tires for B.F. Goodrich, then oil for D-A Oil for many years. He later formed a distributorship for Na-Churs Fertilizer. He loved the interaction with people throughout his career and it amazed his family how, no matter where they were traveling or vacationing, he would run into somebody he knew. He was also able to tell you every great pie stop wherever he was traveling.

In his spare time, Ed took up woodworking as a hobby and again was a self-taught craftsman. He was fortunate that on his family farm he was able to harvest oak and walnut trees from which he created beautiful furniture. He was an artist who was able to bring his concepts to fruition.

Ed did all these things and more surrounded by family and friends. He was the last born of ten children and enjoyed spending time with all of them and their families. He met his wife, Patricia Larsen, while playing a dance after he returned from the Army. They married and raised four children. Ed and Pat loved to entertain family and friends, golf, and travel. They were blessed to have a great group of friends. They enjoyed retirement until her death in 2004. Ed later married Mona (Del) Boberg capping a long family friend relationship. Ed and Mona enjoyed retirement in Texas and Minnesota, playing golf, music, and dancing. Sadly, Ed passed away on January 13, 2023, with his loving wife, Mona, at his side.

Ed is survived by his wife, Mona, and four children, Jean (Neil) Gillund, Fargo, Edward Wageman II, Fargo, Gary (Annette) Wageman, Glasgow, MT, and Steve (Cindy) Wageman, Gillette, WY; eight grandchildren: Jennifer Robley, Brian Robley, Andrew Wageman, Laurel Wageman, Timothy Wageman, Jill Kronberg, and Ian Kronberg; one great-grandchild, Elsie Johnson; three step-children: Denise (E.J.) Liotta, Kristi (Rich) Kittilstved, and James (Wendy) Boberg; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He is survived by many nieces and nephews and their families.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Magdalena Wageman; Sisters - Kathryn Sonderman, Verdilla (Dolly) Bertelson, Josephine Marshall, Rose McCollum, Leona Buman, and Anna Weatherby; Brothers - Henry Wageman, George Wageman, and Elmer Wageman.

The family wishes to thank all his friends and family, especially Ron and Sharon Gourde, for their love and support throughout the years.

Visitation will be Friday, June 9, from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m., followed by the memorial service at 11:00 a.m., at The Lutheran Church of Christ the King, Moorhead, MN.