Donald William Wagner

Donald William Wagner passed peacefully from this life on January 1, 2021.  Don was born on October 3, 1933 in the family farmhouse outside of Ada, Minnesota.   He and his wife Mary were married for 62 glorious years.

In addition to his wife Mary, Don is survived by his four loving daughters, Mary Alice (Craig) Lehmann of Naples Florida, Ann (Richard) LaFave of Troy Michigan, Clare Lesak of Naperville Illinois, and Diana (Michael) Frendt of Grand Haven Michigan; 13 grandchildren, Matthew (Katherina) Lehmann, Molly LaFave (Collin) Miller, Kathryn Lehmann, James LaFave, Jack LaFave, Michael LaFave, Michael Lesak, Meghan LaFave, Kathleen LaFave, Lauren Lesak, Margaret Frendt, Lillian Frendt, and Cecilia Frendt; his sisters Rozella Nelson and Elayne Jacobson; his brother, James Wagner; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his and Mary’s son Matthew, his parents Emil and Cecelia Wagner, his sister Mary Dolores Pforr and his brothers Dennis Wagner and Richard Wagner.

Don was, above all, a man of his beloved Catholic faith and a true, selfless family man in every sense.  Don graduated in 1956 from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in Mining and Petroleum Engineering.  He then served in the Air Force as a Captain (Fuel Supply Officer).  After the Air Force, Don had a long and distinguished career as a Petroleum Engineer in the Oil and Gas, Utility, and Banking industries.   Don earned his Professional Engineer (PE) designation, and served on the board of directors for the National Society of Petroleum Engineers.  In addition, for the Michigan Section of the Society of Professional Engineers, he served as Director and Vice Chairman, Scholarly Chairman, Treasurer, and Program Chairman.  He retired in 1998 as Head Engineer, Energy Lending for JPMorgan Chase Bank.

Don and Mary have enjoyed a beautiful 22-year retirement in Naples, Florida.  Don enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening, playing Sodoku, relaxing at the beach, and listening to classical music.  He loved all things geology, meteorology, and astronomy.  He could solve any problem and enjoyed tackling them all.

Visitation for family and friends will take place Thursday, January 7, 2021 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Fuller Funeral Home, 1625 Pine Ridge Road, Naples. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 7775 Vanderbilt Beach Road.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Don’s name to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Florida.  On-line donations are suggested at www.catholiccharitiesdov.weshareonline.org.