Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Wagner, Mary J. 1902
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Belding Banner, 11 Dec 1902, page 1; 18 Dec 1902, page 8

Beautiful Life Gone

A Lovely Character Has Passed Away.

Mary J. Wagner Enters Deaths Valley – The Master Called Her and She Followed.

The illness of Miss Wagner resulted fatally and she passed away at an early hour
Monday morning, aged 28 years.  Stricken suddenly with typhoid fever while in
the discharge of her school duties in Grand Rapids, she was taken to the U.B.A.
Hospital and for seven weeks was in the relentless grasp of the disease which
terminated her life.

She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Wagner, a young lady of noble impulses
and a character that was lovely and admirable in a marked degree.  Her beautiful
life and gentle spirit was attractive and no one had more truer friends than
she, especially was this so with her co-workers and pupils in the Henry St.
school where she had so efficiently labored for seven years.  The deceased
graduated in the class of ’91 in Grand Rapids and taught school in this city,
for three years, afterward taking up kindergarten work in Grand Rapids and was
considered one of the most successful teachers there.

A memorial service was held in the school there Tuesday afternoon, one of the
pupils sang “Nearer my God to Thee,” and Rev. Mr. Metcalf made some impressive
remarks, in which he spoke of Miss Wagner’s strong personality, her sweet and
loving disposition and beautiful character.  He said that she could not be
regarded as having gone, or as one dead, because the personality would live on,
with all those who knew her, and would continue to be an inspiration to higher
and nobler living.  The services were closed by singing “Lead Kindly Light” by
the school.  

She was an active member of Park St. Congregational church and closely
identified with all religious and society work of an elevating nature.

An impressive funeral service was held at the home in this city Tuesday
afternoon conducted by Rev. J.E. Butler who spoke from the words, “The Master
has Come and Calleth for Thee.”

There was a profusion of lovely flowers, the casket being nearly buried out of
sight by these tokens of love and respect, many were sent from Grand Rapids. 
The floral pieces from the O.E.S. of this city of which she was a member, the
Young Ladies’ Club, the Building Loan Association, the C.E. society and others
were fine indeed.

E.J. Wagner of Omaha, Neb, Edwin Thayer, John Wagner, Bertha Wagner, Mrs. Peter
Veit, Mrs. Anna Host, Maude Hendershott, Roy Hendershott and the Misses Keyes
and Brown of Grand Rapids were in attendance at the funeral.  The latter sang a
solo in the quartette composed of herself, Mrs. Ferguson, W.B. Reed and Dr.
Sheldon.

Her remains were laid beside those of her sister Nettie in Riverside cemetery
who preceeded her three years ago.  The family have the sincere sympathy of the
community in this time of their sad bereavement.
------------

Tributes of Respect.

Among the many tributes of respect to the memory of Mary J. Wagner and words of
sympathy to the family is the following received by Mr. and Mrs. Wagner:

Mr. and Mrs. Wagner, Belding, Mich.

Dear Friends:  I am requested by the Kindergarten Directors of Grand Rapids
Public Schools, the partners and co-workers with your daughter, Mary J. Wagner,
to extend their most sincere and deepest sympathy to you in your heavy sorrow.

Her strong character and sweet personality were always appreciated and valued
and we feel the loss of her presence in our midst.  As a kindergartner she
brought to her work a beautiful spirit and her labors were characterized by a
fine discrimination definiteness and method.  With a fine mind, keen sense of
duty and love of children, she was a valued teacher appreciated and loved by the
children and her fellow workers.

And now that she has gone to compete the Master’s work above, we thought it
would be a consolation and a comfort for you to know of the good work she has
done here on earth and the joys she has brought to hundreds of lives.  Future
years will show the Kindergarten motherhood.

Twenty-eight years is a small portion to be granted here below, but in that time
she has wrought much and her deeds shall live after her.

With deepest sympathy,
Bertha Bradford,
Supervisor of Kgn’s.
December 9, 1902.


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