Emogene Wagner

Emogene "Jody" Wagner, 77, Lawrence, formerly of Topeka died Tuesday, October 23,2007, at Pioneer Ridge Health Unit in Lawrence. She was born February 11, 1930, in Vilonia, Arkansas, the daughter of William G. and Dora Short Morrison. She graduated from Havana High School in 1947 and from Kansas City (Missouri) Secretarial School. She worked as a secretary for the Kansas Department of Revenue until starting her family, and was a homemaker while her children were in school. She was active in Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts, serving as leader and Girl Scout Troop Services Director for several years. In the 1980s and early 1990s, she worked with the Kansas State Legislature, and was a volunteer on Voting Days. She enjoyed cooking, traveling, antique-hunting, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was an accomplished pianist. She and her husband lived in Lawrence from 1948-49 while he completed his degree at KU. They moved to Topeka, where they made their home for over 50 years. They moved back to Lawrence in 2005.
She married Merle Wagner on August 8, 1948, in Caney, Kansas. He survives. She is also survived by one son, Dean, of Topeka; three daughters, Cheryl Wagner Nixon and husband John, and Diane Bracciano and husband Tom, all of Lawrence, and Jayne Sullivan and husband John of Fort Worth, TX; and a foster son, Corey Valenta, of Topeka. Other survivors include her sisters Juanita Carter and Clara Goodloe, of San Diego, CA.; grandchildren Anna, Mark, Emily, Elizabeth, Sarah, Megan, and Lauren; and great-grandchildren Jacob and Lindsay. She was
preceded in death by her parents, a brother, and two sisters.

Cremation is planned. A graveside inurnment service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday at the Serenity Columbarium in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 4125 SW Gage Center Dr, Topeka 66604, or to Heart of America Hospice, 3715 SW 29th St., Topeka 66614.
Newcomer Family is assisting the family. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.NewcomerFamily.com.