Maxine Wagner

Maxine Wilma Wagner, age 88 of rural Lake Crystal, slipped away quietly in her own home on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, following a short battle with cancer. She was cared for in the last several weeks by her family. She enjoyed having almost all of her 30-plus family members with her two days earlier, giving thanks for her life. 

Her memorial service will be at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Oak Grove Farm (21385 - 494th Avenue, Lake Crystal) followed by continued celebration and visiting. To leave a condolence for the family, visit www.mankatomortuary.com. 

Maxine was born May 1, 1936, in Mankato to Leo F. and Lorene B. (Connelly) Redmond. She was raised in St. James, and graduated from high school there. She later completed her Associate of Arts degree. Maxine was united in marriage to Charles Wagner Jr. in Lakefield, MN. Maxine traveled all around the state with Charles and several of her children while he worked road construction before settling in Lake Crystal in 1967. She was employed by Thro Corporation, becoming the Director of Laundry and Housekeeping before her retirement. In her free time, Maxine loved gardening, her animals, reading, dancing, and live music. Most important, was time with her family. 

Maxine raised seven children who went on to have 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren all of whom learned from her the secret of living a good life: Work hard, have fun, and be there for your family.

 Left to remember Maxine are her children: Christine (Dale) Allen, Gene (Karen), Connie Nagel, Linda (Daryl) Maas, Lisa (Peter) Mead, Joe (Melissa), and Wendi (Mike) Schoeb. Stepson Alan Wagner; 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren: Nicole (Jim) Siewert and their son Chester; Tom (Alison) Wagner; Alex Koepp; Austin (Grace) Allen; Sara Mead; Brittany (Toni Tinetti) Wagner and their children Luce and Edie; Zach Wagner; Kayla (Ganamo Bati) Wagner and their daughter Zuri; Regan (Tyler Dessner) Schoeb and their daughter Parker; and Nick Schoeb. She also is survived by her only sister, Gail Melson.

She will also be missed by her miniature horses and her loyal dog, Sam. Her neighbors, Darian, Jeff, Pierce, and Elis Nagel, will miss their “Country Grandma.” She will be especially missed by Nagel’s cat, Tuffy who lived with Maxine and visited his family; along with other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, and 4 brothers: Richard, Robert, Kenneth, and Thomas Redmond; and stepson Monte Wagner.

The family would like to thank Mayo Hospice for the wonderful support and care they provided Maxine that allowed her to stay in her home.