Arthur Wagner was born in February 5, 1929 on the Wagner farm East of Imperial, Nebraska to Ernest and Bertha (Kaiser) Wagner. He was baptized on March 3, 1929 at Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial, Nebraska by Pastor Fred A. Elze. Interestingly one of his baptismal sponsors was his future wife’s father, Emil Molzahn. He was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial, Nebraska on May 24, 1942 by Pastor Herbert J. Schulenburg. Art was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church and has been on most boards, has been an elder, the treasurer, the secretary of the voters’ assembly and taught Sunday School.

Art grew up on a farm East of Imperial and went to rural school district number 21 Southeast of Imperial through eighth grade. He never attended high school but tested out of it so that he could go to business college in North Platte.

Arthur married Eleanor Molzahn on his birthday, February 5, 1950 at Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial by Pastor Walter A. Meyer. Four children blessed this union: Mike, Terry, Timothy, and Gina.

Art served in the United States Marine Corp and served from 1952 to 1954 in Korea. He was honorably discharged from the Reserve of the United States Marine Corps on January 24, 1960.

He worked on the Enders Dam when it was being built.

Art worked for Leech Chevrolet and Powell Motors starting in 1951, first as a mechanic and then a parts manager for 24 years. He then became the Associate County Judge (which is now called Clerk Magistrate). Art retired from this in 1994 after serving for 17 years.

Art was a volunteer fireman for 20 some years.

He enjoyed woodworking and he and Eleanor did many crafts where he cut out the wooden pieces and Eleanor painted them. Together they cared for their yard and garden.

Art passed away and when to his heavenly home on July 19, at Crete, Nebraska.

He is preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Bertha Wagner; his wife of 74 years, Eleanor who died on September 21, 2024; brother Norman (Dorothy) Wagner; sisters Dorothy (Don) Hayes, Evelyn (Don) Reed, Norma Hopkins; Agnes (Bill) McCurry, Betty (Jack) Todd; brother-in-law Ron Meininger; grandsons Jonathan Wagner and Alan Wagner; and grandson-in-law Nick Ryan.

Survivors include his sister Laurine Meininger, his children Mike (Deb) of Longmont, Colorado, Terry (Joan) of Imperial, Nebraska, Tim (Cynthia) of Plymouth, Nebraska and Gina (John) Allen of Bozeman, Montana: grandchildren Alicia (Daniel) Terrill, Amanda (Ken) Allen, Angela Wagner, Audra (Ryan) Clark, Crystal Wagner, Teresa (Tim) Ledford, Sheena (Daniel) Smith: Liz (Jeff) Elgan, Timothy (Holly) Wagner. Benjamin (Anna) Wagner, Leah (Christopher) Humphries, Lydia (John) Niemeier, Jaime Edison, Jacob (Sarah) Wagner, Jesse Wagner, Madison (Jacob) Cude, Samuel Wagner; Cassandra Wagner, and Tyler (Greer) Pohl: great-grandchildren Christopher Terrill, Madalyn Terrill (Ruben) Muniz, Meagan Terrill, Ethan, Emma, Allyson, and Brooklyn Allen, Riah, Dakota and Declan Clark; Chloe Wagner, Briana, Trinitey & Tim Junior Ledford, Audrey Smith: Hallie and Reagan Elgan, Callen, Dorothy, Everley and Fiora Wagner, Zia, Eli, and Mya Humphries, Randi and Henry Niemeier and Juniper Cude: and great-great-grandchildren, Dallas and Emilia Muniz.

Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honor dwelleth. Psalm 26:8

A funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 22 at Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial. Visitation one hour prior to service. Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Imperial.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Zion Lutheran Church.