Alice Lucille Wagner was born March 23, 1918 on her family’s farm south of Larchwood, Iowa in Lyon county. She was the youngest child of John and Emma McCarty. Alice attended a nearby country school and then St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Larchwood for two years before graduating from Rock Rapids High School in 1935. She then lived with her sister Ruth Kelley in Sioux Falls where she worked and played softball for the Blue Jays with sisters Ruth and Olive.

     She married David Wagner on April 21, 1938 in Sioux Falls. After their marriage, David worked for Barnstall oil company and they lived in Carroll, Iowa; Omaha, Nebraska; and Ames, Iowa before he entered the U.S. Army Air Force during WWII. In 1944, Alice joined David at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, SD and worked on base. Their son Dennis was born in April of 1946. Upon David’s discharge from service, they returned to his hometown of Herscher, Illinois where he and his cousin operated Wagner Chevrolet.  In 1958, David and Alice purchased a Phillips Petroleum distributorship in Spencer, Iowa and operated Wagner Oil Company there until retiring in 1983.

     Alice was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spencer. She was also a member of the Hospital Auxiliary, League of Women Voters, Questers, the Meals on Wheels Board and delivered Meals on Wheels until 2004. She enjoyed fishing with her husband, sewing, playing bridge and knitting Christmas stockings for friends and family.

     Having acquired her first computer in the 1980’s, she maintained email correspondence with many friends and relatives until very recently. She always made a special effort to remember birthdays and anniversaries.

     Alice passed away at her home on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at the age of 101.  She was preceded in death by her husband, David in 2005, her parents, John and Emma (Jorgenson) McCarty, siblings George (Anna) McCarty, Raymond (Nell) McCarty, Ruth (Nicholas) Kelley, Olive (Edward) Adams and Thomas (Agnes) McCarty. She was also predeceased by half-siblings Irving (Ida) McCarty, Nellie (George) Weisensee, Carrie (William) Breuer, Lulu and Edna (Sister Mary Benecio).

     She is survived by her son Dennis and his wife, Barbara of Middleton, Wisconsin; grandchildren Brian and Keith and a large extended family of nieces, grand-nieces, nephews, grandnephews and other relatives too numerous to mention. She lived a long and active life and was exceptionally faithful to her church, her family and her friends.

     The family extends special thanks to Kathy Cunningham and her family and to Darla Larson for  the friendship and support they gave Alice.

     May eternal rest be granted to her O Lord and perpetual light shine upon her.

Memorials in her name may be made to:

Spencer Community School Foundation

Box 200 - 23 East 7th Street

Spencer, IA 51301

Ph 712-262-8950

Email: foundation@spencerschools.org 

web: https://www.spencerschoolfoundation.com/contribute

Or

Sacred Heart Catholic School - Spencer

PO Box 817

1111 4th Ave West

Spencer, IA 51301

Ph 712-262-6428

Email: sjones@spencersacredheart.com

Web: https://spencersacredheart.com/giving

The Irish Blessing

May the road rise to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields and, until we meet again may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

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