Mark J. Wagner, age 73, of Canby, MN, passed away Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at the Hendricks Nursing Home. Funeral service will be 3 PM on Sunday, September 25, 2022 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Canby, MN with Rev. Levi Bollerud officiating. Burial will be in the Canby City Cemetery, Canby. Visitation will be 4 – 7 PM Saturday, September 24th with Sharing of Memories at 7 PM at the Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Canby, MN and will resume Sunday one hour prior to the service at the church. The Houseman Funeral Home – Birk Chapel in Canby is handling the arrangements.
Mark John Wagner was born in Tyler, MN to Donald John and Agnes “Pete” (Koopman) Wagner. He was the first son and child. He attended high school Verdi, MN and graduated in May of 1967. He was the homecoming king and the love of his life Marlene Smith was the homecoming queen! Mark and Marlene dated in high school and were married on June 13, 1970. To this union, two sons were born, Michael John Wagner and Mathew Jacob Wagner. Mark went to the University of MN Morris and earned a degree in History and played college football as an offensive guard, his team was later inducted into the UMM Hall of Fame. After Graduation he worked for the Scott Paper company as a traveling salesman. In 1974, he went into partnership with his dad and owned and operated the Canby Livestock Salebarn until 1991 he also drove bus #4 for Canby Schools. After selling the Livestock Sale barn, he worked for Schwan Food Company, Mclaughlin Schultz, Riley Bros Construction, and also owned many rental homes and apartments in MN and Nevada. In 1997, Marlene and Mark bought Lake Reno Resort and operated it for 20 years, retiring in 2017. Upon Retirement they lived the dream of their lives and moved to Brainerd, MN in the summer and spent their winters in Ft. Mohave, AZ. Mark and Marlene lived and worked in Canby for 22 years. Mark enjoyed sports of all types especially anything the grand kids were involved in and rarely missed watching the Vikings game every Sunday. Mark also loved to play golf wherever he went whether it was at the cabin in Brainerd or at their winter home in Arizona. In recent years, Mark spent countless hours watching the golfers go by from the patio. Mark had many friends who were well known for stopping by expecting a fresh cup of coffee and hoping to hear one of his famous jokes. Mark loved played cards with his friends and family. He enjoyed a good casino trip as well. Mark and Marlene planned most of their long trips out west with which casino had the best food and or hottest tables. His famous quotes and jokes at the black jack table were also very “amusing” for most. Mark loved reading the paper and staying involved in all current events. He loved a heated political debate just like his mother, Pete. He would listen to all sides of the story and eventually just agree with everyone that he was right.
Grateful for having shared Mark’s life is his wife, Marlene; his two sons: Michael (Jennifer) Wagner and their children: Lauren, Joey and Charlie Wagner; Mathew Wagner and his sons: Jake Wagner and Nick Wagner; his sisters: Sharla (Jim) Smith, Jolene Wagner, Amy (Paul Pederson) Wagner and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Don Wagner.
