Mrs Deborah Wagner, daughter of Samuel and Sarah Holdeman, who were among our early settlers, was born 77 years ago, at the Holdeman homestead, just west of Wakarusa, and grew to womanhood in this vicinity, getting the rudiments of an education in the common schools of her day.

She passed away at her home at 12:30 o'clock Tuesday morning. She had suffered with heart disease for several years.

January 2, 1870, she was united in marriage with Henry Wagner. For many years she assisted her husband in conducting a boarding house and by her industry, kind and cheery disposition won hosts of friends. Failing health compelled Mr and Mrs Wagner to retire from business several years ago and neither have been strong since.

A daughter, Hattie, died May 26, 1885 at the age of 14 and an adopted daughter, Alma Wagner Husband, died Dec 7, 1904, at the age of 21.

Besides her companion, she is survived by one foster daughter, Mrs Lucile Rohrer, two sisters, Mrs Katherine Ister of Elkhart and Mrs Callie Pettit of Chicago; four brothers, Isaiah and William Holdeman of Elkhart, Daniel of Union, Mich, and Amos of Plentywood, Mont.

Mrs Wagner was a member of the Methodist church and W R C. She was a woman of most exceptional worth. Devoted to the duties of home as a wife, helpmate and mother, she left nothing to be desired. Moreover, she always found time to care for orphaned children and occasion to lend her cheery neighborly helpfulness to friends and neighbors about her.

Funeral services will be held at 2 pm Thursday at the Methodist church in Wakarusa, meeting at the home at 1:30, the Rev S B Stooky of Elkhart officiating. Burial will be made in the Olive cemetery, five miles north of Wakarusa.

Wakarusa Tribune
2 April 1929