Robert "Bob" John Wagner

Robert “Bob” John Wagner, 74, of Mansfield, SD, passed away peacefully in his home, with family by his side, on Sunday, December 22, 2019, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, December 28, 2019, at All Saints Catholic Church in Mellette, SD.  Fr. Tom Anderson will serve as Celebrant of the Mass.

Private family burial will be held at a later date.

Visitation will take place on Friday, December 27, 2019, from 5 PM to 7 PM, with a liturgical wake service held at 7 PM at Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary & Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, SD.

Family and friends may sign Robert’s online guestbook and also view his service via the live stream service link at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Robert was born on September 10, 1945, to Mildred (Johansen) and Mathias “Mutts” Wagner in Slayton, MN, where he was raised and attended school.  Alongside his father and brother, he worked on the family farm, raising cattle and growing crops.

On November 15, 1969, he married Paulette Mardian of Aberdeen, SD.  They started their family and farming operations in the Slayton, MN area.  In 1980, they moved to Roslyn, SD, where they farmed and specialized in swine production.  In 1984, Robert was named South Dakota Master Pork Producer for outstanding performance in efficient swine production. He also served as President of Day County Pork Producers during this time.  Because of his interest in agriculture and swine production, Robert continued to watch the markets throughout his life.  Later they moved to Mansfield, SD, where he started a scrap metal recycling operation and worked for Mansfield Grain Exchange.

Robert could strike up a conversation with anyone and enjoyed getting to know his neighbors and community.  An avid baseball fan, he would be sure to follow every Twins game and enjoyed talking game stats.  Robert, always a “farmer at heart,” loved gardening throughout the years with his wife.  The size of his garden continued to expand during his time of retirement.  He would spend the winter months planning the layout of his garden and experimenting with growing techniques.

Robert and Paulette raised five children and were blessed with 14 grandchildren.  Robert loved spending time with his grandchildren, joking, and making them laugh. Most of his big smiles were when his grandchildren were around.

Robert is survived by his wife of 50 years, Paulette; his five children: sons, Scott (Aimee) Wagner of Warner, SD, Paul (Janel) Wagner of Aberdeen, SD, and Steven (Angela) Wagner of Fargo, ND; daughters, Lisa (Phillip) Hocking and Christy (Jayson) Karst, both of Nashville, TN; his sister, Patricia Wagner of Orange, TX; and his grandchildren: Jack, Joseph, Emily, Zanrick, TJ, and Kennadee (Scott and Aimee); Tiffany and Elizabeth (Paul and Janel); Ellie and Julia (Steven and Angela); Hannah, Olivia, and Cecilia (Christy and Jayson).

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, David Wagner of Slayton, MN; sisters, Sharon Urke of Blaine, MN, and Mary Ruiter of Lake Wilson, MN; and grandchild, Levi (Scott and Aimee) of Warner, SD.