Walter Edgar Wagner, 79

Walter Edgar Wagner passed away very unexpectedly the morning of Feb. 26, 2013, in his home in Bozeman.

Walt was born Feb. 6, 1934, in Big Timber. He grew up in the farming world, working many summers on the Wagner farm, and graduated from Big Timber High School in 1952. As a young man, Walt worked in various jobs, including the seismograph industry in many Western states. Walt went to Venezuela in 1956, working in the seismograph field for Socony Mobil Oil Company. In 1958, he returned to Montana to attend Montana State College where he received his Bachelor of Science in financial management in 1964.

On June 23, 1962, Walt married the love of his life, Joan Cullen. Over the years, they raised three children, Gregg, Joe and Mary, and built a life on a foundation of love. Together, they began their adventure as school teachers in Jordan, Mont. After a time, Walt joined the Mountain Bell Telephone Company and the family moved between Helena and Wolf Point. He stayed with Mountain Bell for five years and then worked as a Montana State bank examiner. He loved the work but could not stand being away from his wife and family. The examiner job led to a job with the Flathead Bank of Bigfork where Walt spent 11 years. He left the bank as president in 1984 to start a business in Missoula, The Shoppe Laundromat and Dry Cleaner. Walt later worked for the St. Ignatius Bank and First Citizens Bank of Polson prior to his retirement in 1998.

Walt was known for his compassion and caring for others. He was a hard-working man who had a heart of gold and would go out of his way to help anyone he could.

Walt is survived by his wife, Joan; their three children and their families, Gregg and wife Sandi, and children Greer and Henry, Joe and wife Sandy, and children Sarah and Jillian, and Mary and husband Brent, and children Sydney and Cullen. He is also survived by his siblings, his sister Gert and her family, his sister Maggie, his brother Joe and wife Rose Marie and their family, Eileen and husband Ron Briggs and their family, and his brother Sam and wife Julie and their family.

Walt was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Mary; and his sister, Viola.

Walt loved his entire extended family and his friends all meant so much to him.

Vigil services for Walt will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 4 at Dahl’s Funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5 at Resurrection University Catholic parish.  

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Walt's name to the Resurrection Parish Building Fund in Bozeman.