Rita L. Wagner

Rita L. Wagner, 91 of Devils Lake formerly of rural Crary, ND passed away on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Center, Devils Lake in the loving care of her daughters. Rita Lorraine, daughter of Albert and Veronica (Murphy) Berg was born on November 12, 1924 on the farm at rural Warwick, ND. She grew up in rural Warwick, attended the Free Peoples Country School and graduated from Warwick Public School with the class of 1942. Rita continued her education at the Jamestown College of Nursing in Jamestown, ND and graduated from the Registered Nursing program. After graduation, Rita worked as an RN in New York, Seattle and Wisconsin before returning to North Dakota. She then worked in administration at Mercy Hospital for a few years. Rita met her future husband while attending Skating Parties at Stump Lake. They fell in love and on November 12, 1959, she was united in marriage to her beloved Alphonsus Wagner at Christ the King Catholic Church in Tokio, ND and they were blessed with 56 years of love, laughter and marriage. Alphonsus died on February 4th of this year. As a married couple, they farmed in rural Crary where they lived worked and raised their daughters. Farm life included those many farm chores, helping preserve the produce of Alphonsus’s large gardens, tending her flowers and being a devoted wife and mother. Even though she was busy with her own family, she was the dedicated caretaker to her mother, her sister and brothers. Her caring nature as a nurse, naturally carried over into family life. Rita graciously hosted many family holidays and events because they had the “big house”. In her spare time, Rita did enjoy needlework, crossword puzzles and she was a talented “doodler” whenever she was visiting on the phone. Rita was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Christian Mothers and later at St. Joseph Catholic Church. She loved her family and cherished every moment with them. Rita is survived by her precious daughters, Barbara Wagner and Ann Wagner, Grand Forks, Mary Wagner of Fargo and Ruth Wagner of Devils Lake; her grandson Shawn, Devils Lake; sister-in-law Ilene Lee, Devils Lake and several nieces, nephews and their families. Preceded by her parents; her husband Alphonsus; daughter Margaret; sisters Marie Berg, Eileen Evanson and Sara Berg in infancy; brothers Lawrence “Buddy” Berg and Leo Berg; in-laws Casper and Anna Wagner; Arthur Wagner in infancy, James Wagner and Delores McCanna. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, November 14, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with Father Alex King celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 4:00 p.m. officiated by Reverend Mr. Ken Severinson, Deacon. Visitation will continue on Monday at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Casket Bearers will be Dennis Mertens, Tom Mertens and Robert Lee. Reading the Scriptures will be Mary Wagner and Gift Bearers will be Barbara, Ann, Mary and Ruth. JoDee Lagein will provide music for the Mass.