Dorothy Pauline Wagner's Obituary
Dorothy Wagner, born in Plains, Kansas in 1924 went to be with her Lord on August 23,2021. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Bill Wagner, and her daughter Shirley Wagner. Her surviving children include Jane Clinton (husband Johnny), Kay Kudrick (husband George), and Bill
Wagner, Jr. (wife Holly). She also is survived by 5 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
Dorothy grew up and lived through the Great Depression and WW II. She shared stories of living in a sod house, attending a one room school with her siblings, and growing up on a farm.
She met her future husband at a roller-skating rink in Dodge City, Kansas. She was attracted to this handsome young man in a Navy uniform, and since it was Sadie Hawkins Day, she asked him to skate with her. Their love of roller skating continued in their married life. In her early marriage she was instrumental in the family home-building business. Later, as a Navy pilot’s wife, she felt like she served her country and moved frequently across the country with her husband and four children.
Dorothy and her husband relocated to Dallas in 1971 when her husband joined Southwest Airlines as one of their first pilots.
They were faithful members of the North Dallas Church of the Nazarene, where Dorothy had just completed 50 years of membership. She also served as church treasurer for many years.
Besides roller skating, Dorothy’s activities included water skiing, cooking, camping, sewing, helping her husband building the family homes in various states, painting the houses, woodworking, some auto mechanics, and riding her lawnmower.
“For better or worse” was a commitment she lived up to. When her husband suffered health problems, she faithfully served as his caregiver for some 30 years.
During the last years of her life she finally slowed down and then required assistance. Her family would like to recognize the caregivers who became a part of her extended family: Jane Williams, Christina Davis, Linda Mullins, and Andree Clearwater.
Besides her husband and daughter, Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Ruth Pennington, brothers Harold, Chet, David and Donald, and sister Viola Knight.
Dorothy is survived by her sister Thelma Denton (husband Ed) and brother Ron Pennington (wife Sarah).
The service for Dorothy Wagner will be Saturday August 28 at North Dallas Church of the Nazarene, 10303 Webb Chapel Rd, Dallas, TX 75229. The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM, and the service will begin at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Restland on Greenville Avenue at 2:30 PM.
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