Clara Marie Wagner

Clara Marie Brown Wagner, 85, of Olpe, Kansas, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family on Thursday, February 29, 2024.

Clara Marie was born on November 9, 1938, in Emporia, Kansas, the daughter of Nicholas and Clara Boes Brown.  She graduated from Olpe High School in 1956 and married Earl Wagner on June 13, 1959, in Olpe, Kansas.

Clara Marie worked in the Financial Aid Office at Emporia State University for 3 ½ years.  She then stayed home to raise her five children and babysat for others in the home during those years.  As her children got older, Clara Marie spent 6 years working at Ford grocery in Olpe.  She was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church and the Saint Ann’s Alter Society.

Clara Marie was preceded in death by her parents Nicholas and Clara Brown.

She is survived by her loving husband, Earl Wagner of the home; children, Bryon Wagner (Sharon) of Freeport, Florida, Carla Bechtel (Steve) of Emporia, Kansas, Douglas Wagner (Cheryl) of Emporia, Kansas, Evan Wagner (DeAnn) of Madison, Kansas, and Cheryl Edwards (Alan) of Lakeland, Florida; 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren with one more expected in March; siblings, Leon Brown of Olpe, Kansas, Floyd Brown of Newton, Kansas, Rita Williams of Artesia, California, and Nicholas Brown of Hallsville, Missouri.

Cremation is planned.  The Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Olpe.   Mass of Christian burial will follow on at 10:00 a.m. with burial following at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Olpe.  Memorial contributions may be made in care of Hand in Hand Hospice or the Saint Joseph Cemetery Endowment can be sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, Kansas 66801.