Harvey J. Wagner
Harvey J. Wagner, 83, of Adams-Friendship, Wisconsin passed away on October 21, 2021 after battling with leukemia.
A Celebration of Life will be from 1:00 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at the Moundview Golf Course.
Harvey was born in Grand Marsh, Wisconsin on April 10, 1938 to Stanley and Edna Wagner. Harvey graduated from Adams-Friendship High School in 1956 and UW Platteville in 1960 with a degree in Agriculture. On June 23, 1962, he married the love of his life, Beverly Knitter, and together they celebrated 58 years of marriage. He spent five years teaching at Adams-Friendship High School, and after that was a traveling salesman for nine years. In 1967 he was elected to the Board of Directors of Grand Marsh State Bank which began Harvey’s career in banking; in 1976 he became the president of the bank where he remained until retiring in 2016. As a second career, Harvey stayed connected to his farming roots by purchasing the family farm from his parents and cultivated it into Wagner Farms Inc. It could be said that Beverly and the family farm were the two loves of his life.
Harvey exemplified his motto, “Give back to your community more than you take.” He was a part of the Adams County Economic Development for over 35 years, on the Moundview Memorial Hospital Board for 22 years, and a charter member of the Moundview Golf Course. He was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Adams-Friendship Area Education Foundation, and the Knights of Columbus. Staying true to his faith, Harvey was a contributing member of both Pilot Knob and Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church. With exception to the years 2020 and 2021, Harvey attended and helped manage every “Corn and Tater Festival” (a celebration of the local farming community) held in Grand Marsh, Wisconsin since the festival’s inception in 1963.
Harvey enjoyed many outdoor activities including camping, golfing, hunting deer with close family, and fishing in Canada with close friends. He was a long-time Badger football season ticket holder, often giving tickets away or asking friends to join him at a game. Indoors, he loved playing cards, bowling, and watching NASCAR. Besides his grandchildren, his pride and joy was a forest green Chevy pickup truck purchased brand new in 1948 by his father, Stanley, and restored to new condition by Harvey in 2016.
Someone close to the family shared, “Harvey gave the best hugs, so big and strong that you knew he really meant it.” Harvey was a very sentimental, kind hearted, and generous person, which helped him develop many wonderful friendships over the years. He gave countless donations of time and treasure to many people, organizations, and charities throughout his life. May he rest in peace knowing that he gave so much more to the world than he ever took from it.
Survivors include Harvey’s wife, Beverly; his three children, Rochelle (Jorg) Brendel, Mark (Laurie) Wagner, and Perry (Carrie) Wagner; his five grandchildren, Marina, Nikolas, Oliver, Henry, and Joey; his three sisters, Mary Golz, Jean (Jim) Hilliard, and Alice Parr; his brother-in-law, Allan Klaus; his sister-in-law Maggie Wagner, and many loved nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his beloved communities of Adams, Friendship, and Grand Marsh Wisconsin.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Robert Wagner; his brothers-in-law, Charles Parr and Vern Golz; and his sister-in-law, Mary Jo Klaus.
A Celebration of Life will be from 1:00 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2022 at the Moundview Golf Course.
Memorials may be directed in Harvey’s memory to Gunderson Hospital Foundation, Adams-Friendship Fine Arts Center, or St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
I just saw this and my heart stopped a minute…so very very heartbreaking for you all to community, family, friends…through tears & trying to Breathe..i am sending hugs & prayers.
Bev and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. My family will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers. Mr. Wagner (Harvey) was a great man, a good mentor to me, way back then when I was working in Grand Marsh State Bank. He will be missed by so many. May the Lord grant his soul an eternal rest.
Our thoughts are with you. So sorry for your loss.
So very sorry for the families loss
Very sorry to see that your Dad passed away, Harvey was a great guy, did not know him very well but I knew enough to know he was a hard working, honest, family man, a great community leader who will be missed & leaves a great example to be followed, sincere condolences to his wife & family.
Our heartfelt sympathy to Bev & family at this sad time. Harvey was a nice person & an asset to our community. He will be missed.
Very sorry to hear this news. I enjoyed working with him during my years at the bank. He was truly community focused and always had a smile or hug when I saw him.
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family. May your memories help to get through the sadness.
So sorry for your loss.
You ares in my prayers.
Pat Moyer
So very sorry for your loss.
You are in my prayers.
Pat Moyer
So sorry for your loss
You aare in my prayers
Pat Moyer
So sorry for your loss
You will be in my prayers
Pat Moyer
So sorry for your loss
You are in my prayers
Pat Moyer
So sorry for your loss
You are in my prayers
Pat Moyer
Sorry to hear of Harvey’s passing he was a good friend and teacher good memories. R.I.P.
Bob and Ginny Hass-
We send our best to you, Harvey and your family. Enjoyed many a trip to Canada fishing with lots of pleasant memories. All the lies told over and over again around many campfires. Lots of blood and guts cribbage games with, of course, a nip or two to help keep things going smoothly. And how many trips out on all of those lakes with great shore lunches and a beer or two (to keep things keep going smoothly). One thing I never understood Harvey is how every year you would come up there with a new lure that none of the rest of us had and no matter how goofy the lure looked, you would outfish us all. Then the next year we would all have at least two of that lure and hardly catch a fish. And meantime, you would have another new lure and again catch more fish than the rest of us. Oh well Harvey. All is forgiven but never forgotten. Great memories of a great friend. RIP
Sympathy and Prayers to all the Wagner family:
Bev, Mark, Rochelle, and Perry,
Mr. Wagner will be greatly missed by our family – We have many memories working for him / with him. He has guided us for many years, teaching, encouraging and giving us advice. He was a great support for our family and the boys in all their activities especially 4-H and FFA and letting them work on the farm learn a great work ethics.
He will continue to live on in our hearts.
Joe, Kristy, Jeff, Josh & Jordan Huber
Bev, children and all of Harvey’s family. We are so saddened to hear of Harvey’s passing. What a terrific person, community leader and friend…..Harvey has made many, many friends over all these years and will be missed by all that knew him. Our condolences, thoughts and prayers are with your entire family at this difficult time. May God wrap his arms around your family and bring you peace and comfort…..for as long as you need. Speak Harvey’s name often, it really does help…..Rest in Peace Harvey.
Hugs to you all……
To the Wagner family,
Sincerest sympathy. I only hope some of us younger people can give to our community as much as Harvey did. He was an inspiration and mentor to so many.
Thank you!
May your memories bring you some peace.
He was a very very special person! I feel honored to have known him. Sorry for your loss.
The virus situation prevented friends and families from comunicating as much as we wanted to, but always looked forward to seeing the Parrs and Wagners at least in church. Love and prayers to all who grieve this special man.
I will miss Harvey. I will miss him like I still miss my grandparents his mom and dad even though they passed many years ago. Harvey was a big influence on my young life. I apologize for missing Thursdays services. I have a trip already booked for Florida to visit my parents and was unable to change my flight.
Our deepest sympathy to the family!
Our community has lost a special person!
Sincerest condolences to the Wagner Family for the loss of Harvey.
My family worked with Harvey for over 40 years through our affiliation with the Grand Marsh bank. He was instrumental in growing the bank from a few million dollars to over 120 million dollars in addition to adding branches in Adams and Oxford. I worked directly with Harvey for 25 of those years. I can’t remember a disagreement or argument. He was a rabid booster of Adams County always looking to further the community whether inside or outside the bank. I will miss you Harvey. My best wishes to your family.
My deepest condolences to all of your family! Harvey was a special cousin! I have so many wonderful memories of growing up with my Wagner cousins especially our (barn) dances! RIP Harvey!
I am so sorry to hear of Harvey’s passing. As hard as this is, we know that he is in a better place. He lived a great life, and he will not be forgotten. It was so good to see Harvey and you Beverly at our 65Class reunion in May. God’s Blessing on you and the family to move ahead these sad days. You are all in my prayers!
Bev and family,
Harvey was my boss, mentor and friend. His passing leaves a great hole in many hearts. He guided me for many years at the bank and even after we were both gone. I have so many great memories working with him at the bank and Corn N Tater. It was always impressive as to how many people would come talk to Harvey, even when he, Bev, Bob and Maggie were at Fish Fries on Fridays at the Grand Marsh Community Center. He will be greatly missed. He is now at peace and pain free living with the lord.
Marci and I send prayers for your family. Harvey was a mentor to me and always gracious to all. Our farm had several bank loans over the years and it was always a pleasure to visit the bank and if Harvey’s office door was open, he would invite me in to talk farming and community. Great memories from a great man!
Bev and Family,
Our deepest condolences on Harvey’s passing.
Harvey was a great long-time family friend and mentor.
Paula and I, as well as the Grand Marsh and A-F communities, will greatly miss him.
Sorry to hear of your loss. He was a good man. Always set a good example for others to follow. My prayers are with the
Wagner family in your time of grief.
Our sympathy to the Wagner family. Harvey was a wonderful teacher, neighbor, and friend. He was a people person and certainly gave much to the community in so many ways. Rest in peace Harvey.
Its with a heavy heart to hear of Harvey’s passing. He truly was a pillar of our community. He was not only a great man, but a true friend to all who knew him. He set the bar very high for others to follow. Our sympathy to the Wagner family.
May God bless the Harvey Wagner family…now and always. Harvey was a memorable part of our life when we lived near Adams County, and worked at the bank. Fine, honorable man who’ll be remembered by many.
We all lost a great man.
To the Wagner Family,
It is sadness that I heard of Harvey’s passing. The Wagner and Kierstyn boys grew up together. Memories of many Sundays after mass we boys would either go to the Wagner’s or the Kierstyn’s for the day, then our parents would deliver us to our homes that evening. GREAT MEMORIES!!! Rest In Peace Harvey.
So sorry for your loss, I worked with Mr.Wagner at the Grand Marsh Bank many years ago. Mr Wagner was a very kind person and always helping people, he will be missed!
Prayers to the family.
Bev and family sincere condolences, Harvey was a muched loved person by so many, he will truly be missed
We are so sorry for your loss. Harvey was a great friend and community leader. He will be missed greatly and leaves a huge hole in our hearts.
So very sorry for your loss.
Condolences to the Wagner Family – RIP good Grand Marsh friend & AFHS School mate.
So sorry for your loss….
Dennis and Donna Christensen
So sorry for your loss he was a wonderful man and will be dearly missed¹+
So sorry to hear of Harvey’s passing. My family (Zielinski) farmed within a few miles of each other and knew this wonderful family. Bill knew Harvey thru high school and became friends. What a gentle man he was, who had a warm smile. Adams County will miss you.
RIP Harvey.
Bev and famiky, I am so sorry for your loss. Harvey will be deeply missed by so many for all he did. He will continue to live on in your hearts. Lean on family and friends as they are your angels here on earth. Harvey is no longer suffer or in pain and he looks down on his family waiting to have you with him.
The world lost a great man! Prayers are with you Honus and family!! Rest easy Hatvey.
Our deepest sympathy to Harvy’s family.He was a kind man always willing to help friends and better his community. He will be missed by many. Rest well dear friend.
So sad to loose such a great man. The world could use more like Harvey. Prayers to all!!
So many good memories over the years. The communities have lost a super great guy. God bless Bev and the whole family.
Harvey was an amazing man; he was a fantastic mentor to me and so many.
Thoughts and Prayers for his family during this difficult time.
I am sorry to hear of Harvy’s passing. A community icon and will be missed. He exemplified what it meant to be a good citizen. Rest in peace.
So very sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss. He was a very community minded person and gave generously. He will be missed by all who knew him. May you find comfort in all your memories.
Beverly, & all the Wagner family,
My deepest sympathy to all. I was saddened to hear of Harvey’s passing. His community will miss him as well as his family. It was an honor to have our paths cross through 4-H, school, church and community. God Bless you all and sustain you thru this difficult time.
Charlene (Burian) Robb
So sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss. He was avery nice person. He will be missed.
So sorry for your loss thought prayers and hugs to all family and friends Harvey was a outstanding person in many many ways and well be miss bye many he always gave more then he had RIP Harvey
With deepest sympathy to the Wagner Family, so Sorry for your loss!!!
We are so very sorry for the loss of this fine man–a role model who left an amazing legacy for his family and community. He will be dearly missed.
My sincere condolences to Harvey’s entire family. He was a great person
and will be missed by so many.
So sorry! Deepest heartfelt sympathy to all of the family.
Sorry to hear of Harvey’s passing, what a wonderful man. My condolences to to the family. He will be missed.
We send our sympathy and prayers. Harvey was certainly a pillar of the entire community.
Extending my deepest sympathy to the Wagner family. May God bless you all…
Hugs to the entire Wagner family. What else can be said except, “God only takes the best ….” !!!
Huge hugs to all. He was an amazing man. So very sorry for your loss.
So sorry to hear of Harvey’s passing. I grew up knowing the Wagner family. Our family attending St Meth odious church. I always enjoyed visiting with Harvey at the annual mass at Pilot Knob. My.Thoughts and prayers are with his family.
I just heard of Harvey’s passing today. I am so very sorry for your loss. He was such a good friend to my parents over the years. Sending love to all of you.
So sorry for your families loss……..
So sorry for your loss. Harv was a great person and a true friend.