Elmer "Sno" Richard Wagner Obituary (1935 - 2021)

Elmer "Sno" Richard Wagner of Gig Harbor, WA, passed away on July 14, 2021, steadfast in his faith in Jesus and surrounded by loving family. Born on January 9, 1935 to Lurena (Starkey) Wagner and Elmer Wagner, Elmer was the youngest of 10 siblings. The Old North End of Toledo was home to both their house on Ontario Street and family business, Wagner Plumbing and Heating, founded by his father in 1919. Elmer was a proud Polar Bear of Woodward High, where he lettered in varsity football and basketball, graduating in 1953. He went on to be a Purdue "Boilermaker," graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1957. At Purdue, Elmer was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, fondly known to his brothers as Fudd. After college, Elmer served in the Army Signal Corps, then began a career that took him to the Allen-Bradley Co. in Milwaukee, WI then back to Toledo, to his family's business and Toledo Edison. In 1987, he moved to Washington state and began working as an engineer for Boeing Corp. Elmer started raising a family in Toledo and Sylvania in the 1960s and later moved to Perrysburg, where he built a new home. With his family, he loved to have fun, sing, dance, coach sports (whether or not he was the coach), attend his children's many recitals and games, and go to Mr. Freeze for a black raspberry shake. His children fondly remember summer vacations which took them across America, as well as holidays spent with Elmer's extended family in Toledo. Elmer's curiosity about science and love of nature led him to many excursions in the Pacific Northwest, camping, rock hunting, and panning for gold. He spent countless hours in his workshop, inventing and testing out new ideas. Elmer always loved a good card game, making his special chili recipe, and hanging out with family. He is especially remembered for his lively sense of humor, love of a rousing debate, quick wit, and gregarious, outgoing nature. He could talk to anyone and no one was a stranger to him. He was also a friend to animals, especially recalling his faithful dog, Jute and most recent pals, Pepper and Pono. Elmer moved to Gig Harbor, WA in 2012, where he has since lived with his beloved wife, Trudy. Here, he enjoyed taking care of the house and garden, restoring his Ford Model T, going out to breakfast with Trudy and good friends, and having dinner at "The Sunset." He was a member of Agnus Dei Lutheran Church in Gig Harbor and enjoyed weekly Bible studies. Elmer is survived by his wife Trudy; his children Michele (Chuck) Marsh, Margaret (Mark) Kohler, Lisa (Mike) Carmody, and Steve (Giggy) Wagner and their mother Linda; grandchildren Michael, Jennifer, Jessica, Celia, Lauren, Justin, Claire, and Luke; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Matthew, siblings Geneva, Henry, Howard, Elva, Allen, Flora, June, Lurena, and Royal, and former wife, Liz. Elmer's favorite saying was, "God is Good!" In lieu of flowers, please consider giving someone special a hug today and passing a smile to a stranger.