Kim E. Wagner

Obviously, my time with you has ended. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge all the people who made my life meaningful. Thank you. I consider myself blessed beyond measure.

I was fortunate to be born to Randy and Audrey (Salveson) in Crookston, Minnesota on October 9, 1960. I was the youngest of six children. My siblings (Pat, Lon, Mark, Sherri, and Heidi) and I enjoyed a peaceful, happy childhood, growing up on the family farm with laughter, love, and a very big garden. If there was any drama growing up, it was instigated by me. I loved riding horses, playing in the haymow, and helping with field work.

In 1979, I graduated from high school and followed my sister Heidi to Bemidji State University in northern Minnesota. Although I dreamed of becoming a funeral director (following in the steps of Aunt Emma Stenshoel), I pursued a degree in Music/Theatre Arts.

Throughout the summer of 1981, I traveled with the Continental Singers, performing more than concerts across southern and eastern states, eventually spending several weeks in Europe. It proved to be a wonderful season of my life.

My next chapter (and adventure) was that of marrying my college sweetheart, David Wagner, on November 28, 1981. In my world full of questions, Dave has always been my “constant.” We had four children in six years. During our early years of marriage and raising kids, we lived in St. Louis, MO (Dave attended Concordia Seminary); Lake Worth, FL (Dave’s pastoral internship); eventually moving to Beach, ND for the first four years of Dave’s ordained ministry. In 1990 we moved to Fargo, ND where we spent 27 years at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church.

The years in Fargo were packed full. At 41 years old, I completed a BS in Business Management from the University of Mary. I worked as the office supervisor for an insurance company before moving into development/fund-raising at Concordia College (Moorhead, MN), FirstChoice Clinic, and ended with a long, fulfilling time as the Foundation Director at a retirement community, Riverview Place. Additionally, I took on additional jobs as time allowed, working at Mill End textiles (collecting fabric and friends) and Boulger Funeral Home as a funeral assistant.

After experiencing stage 3b Breast Cancer in 2011, resulting in a bilateral mastectomy, 16 rounds of chemo and 33 rounds of radiation, I resigned from fundraising and pursued my love of motivational speaking full time. I published a book, Saying Goodbye to the Girls, becoming a member of the National Speakers Association in 2014. I met remarkable people and loved every opportunity to share encouragement and hope with thousands of people across the country. My prayer is that I motivated many to look at life as “one celebration following the next.” After all, my word is CELEBRATE.

In 2017, we packed up 30+ years of living in North Dakota and moved to Bellingham, WA. Dave accepted a call to Trinity Lutheran in Bellingham and a new adventure began. I started working at Westford Funeral Home as a life celebrant (officiating at memorial services) and conducting pre-planning with families. In 2020, I began working for Radiant Heart, a pet crematory in Bellingham. This was a position I absolutely LOVED and enjoyed going to work every day.

Since our move to Fargo in 1990 and subsequent move to the Pacific Northwest, we have shared our home with many dogs. Each one making my life richer and warmer. I am grateful that Dave agreed to my dog obsession. I leave behind Hazel.

In addition to dogs, over the years I have collected a lot of fabric. And, when the time was right, I did my share of sewing from bridal wear to costumes to upholstery. And music! I love to sing. Singing with my trio from Fargo (The Grape Suzettes) and my Bellingham Trinity trio made my heart so happy. I had the opportunity to lead the Contemporary Worship Praise Team at Trinity; I thank God for music and giving me the ability to sing!

I leave behind four children who are truly astounding. Not many mothers can say they have four children with PhDs and I am proud of the strong, independent adults they became. My children: Isaac (Melissa), Savoy, IL; Margot Szarke (Josh), El Cerrito, CA; Lucas (Amber), Bellingham, WA; and Abram (Steven Toth), Ypsilanti, MI; and six precious grandchildren; Leo and Roman Szarke (Margot & Josh’s children); Milo and Bryanna Wagner (Lucas & Amber’s children); and Marni and Orson Wagner (Isaac & Melissa’s children).

Dave and I have shared 43 years together. I have been blessed by his friendship and unconditional love. Marriage is not easy and although he was not good at buying me flowers and cards, he was always there for me. He was my rock and best friend. I am glad that I was the first to go. I have terrible navigational skills and would be literally LOST without him.

I will be forever grateful that I shared a portion of my life with all of you. I look forward to seeing my parents, grandparents and all the other faithfully departed in Heaven. Since I was a little girl, I have known that Jesus loves me. It only seems fitting to spend eternity with Him. I was baptized, confirmed and married in the Lutheran Church; I am hopeful that Lutherans get into Heaven.

Please do not spend money on flowers. I would prefer that you send memorials to Trinity Lutheran (Bellingham) or Beautiful Savior Lutheran (Fargo) or your local humane society charity of your choice.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00pm on Tuesday, August 5 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bellingham, WA. A reception will follow at the church.

A celebration of life will be held at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND, at 1:00pm on Sunday, August 17. A committal for family will take place in Crookston, MN.