Helen M. Wagner
November 20, 1918 - February 23, 2006
Obituary
Helen M. Wagner
Helen passed away February 23, 2006, at the age of 87. She was born to Antone J. and Genivieve L. Keppler. Helen was the youngest of five children, including one sister, Hazel and brothers Howard, Donald and Paul, all of whom have preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her husband Al in November of 1991.
She spent the early years of her childhood living in a large house on a 600-acre farm near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Her mother passed away in April of 1923, when Helen was just 4 years old. Her father soon married Violet Vivienne Morton in December of 1923.
The family moved to Washington State in 1927 where they settled in the South Park area of Seattle. It was there she met her life long friend Madeline Barker. They were dear friends for nearly 80 years. Helen graduated from Cleveland High School in 1936. One of her favorite high school activities was playing tennis. In 1937, Helen took a job with the phone company, which later was named Pacific Northwest Bell and today is Qwest. She spent 31 years with the phone company and retired in February of 1974.
While attending an USO dance in the Seattle area in 1942, she met a handsome soldier named Al Wagner who was stationed in the Seattle area. Al was born and raised in New York City. Al and Helen were married in the summer of 1943. Al was soon called to duty in Italy. After the war, Helen and Al lived in the West Seattle area where their three sons were born; Allen, Brian and Wayne. In 1955, the family moved to the Shorewood area near Burien.
Helen enjoyed bowling, cooking, traveling, and playing cards with friends and family. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren whom she would occasionally take along on trips. Helen traveled to Hawaii quite often to visit her sister Hazel. She also traveled to Europe and Asia to visit her oldest son Allen where he works Korea. Helen liked to spend time in Reno with her husband and friends. She spent many of her trips with her sister Hazel and friend Madeline. She also enjoyed luncheon dates with her family and friends. Helen was a great cook and made terrific oatmeal raisin chocolate chip cookies.
We will miss her smile and joy in the simple things that made her happy. She was a very generous and caring person, who was very involved with her family. It was always nice to get a call from Mom or ”Grammie” as her grandkids called her, she was so thoughtful and was always checking to see how her kids and grandkids were doing.
Helen is survived by her three sons, Allen, Brian wife Jackie, Wayne Angela and her daughter Ashley. Grandchildren, Karla, Kimberly, Brian Jr, Wesley, Crystal, Brianna, Allen Lee and Autumn. Great-grandchildren, Samuel, Ethan, Benjamin, Alana, Emily, Cameron, Riley and Shane.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, March 8th at 2pm, Washington Memorial Park, 16445 International Blvd, Seatac, WA 98188.
Mom,
Thanks for being such a kind and loving Mother. Thanks for always being there for me. My life has been truly blessed because of you.
I love you,
Brian
Helen will be truly missed. She was my mother in law for over 10 years. She will always have a special place in my heart. A very kind & sincere lady who was always there to help anyone out. We used to bowl together alot with Allen, Gladys & Pete, who were dear friends of hers. God Bless Her Always and Forever. Kathy
Helen was a wonderful woman, and I know she will be missed dearly by all that knew her. The thing that I noticed when I met her some 20 years ago, was her smile, and how it lit up a room. Rest well Helen!
Dean
Dear Grammy,
I miss you so much! Nothing is the same with out your smile always greeting me when I would come to see you. Or the funny stories you always had to tell. We all miss you so much but I know you are watching over all us. I love you!
To My Sweet and Beautiful Grammie,
No words can express how much I miss you and love you. I miss everything about you, I can still hear your sweet, loving voice playing in my head.
Thank you again for all that you’ve given me, you’ve touched my life so deeply. You are always in my thoughts and I will always love you.
Karla
Happy Birthday Mom!
I miss you and think about you everyday. Love,
Brian
Grammie,
Just thinking of you on your Birthday…I love you and miss you so much…
Karla
Christmas wasn’t the same this year. Love you always,
Brian
Grammie,
Miss you so much…
I love you…
Grammie,
Miss you so much…
I love you…
Grammie….just thinking of you….and still missing you so much….you were the best.
Love you forever,
Karla