Robert James Wagner

Bob was born at home in St. Cloud, Minnesota, to Roland and Irene Pacolt Wagner. He began school in a one-room schoolhouse before the family moved to Hibbing, Minnesota, a few years later. His father developed a method for retreading the large tires used on iron ore mining equipment. Bob graduated from Hibbing High School and attended junior college for a year before joining the U.S. Navy. During his four years of service, he was stationed in Adak, Alaska, and Scotland. He often joked that, despite serving in the Navy, he never set foot on a ship. Even so, he was very proud of his military service.

Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, he completed his college degree in Political Science at Bemidji State College, in Bemidji, Minnesota. His love of history never ended, and he was an avid reader and collector of books (over 2,000 + as many on his Kindle) on subjects of World and American history. Of the hard cover books, there were none he didn’t read. He loved discussing history with anyone else who was a history lover.

After several years of employment with the State of Utah, Bob returned to Minneapolis to join his father in the tire business in the early 70’s. Bob became a 32nd Degree Mason and played the drum with the Zurah Bagpipe Band. This led to a lifelong love of bagpipe music and joy in attending various festivals and competitions as an observer. His participation in the bagpipe band led to him meeting his future wife, Kay. After a whirlwind romance, Bob and Kay married on October 27, 1979. They lived in Coon Rapids, Minnesota for twenty years before relocating to Creston, Iowa in 1999. While in Creston, Bob worked as a substitute teacher in the schools and later joined Kay when she purchased Country Hearts home décor and gift store. Bob especially loved conversing with the customers and other businesspeople in uptown Creston. In 2014, they moved to Des Moines, Iowa so they could spend more time with the grandkids.

Bob will remain in the hearts of his wife, Kay; daughter, Andrea Hannu (Stephen); grandsons, Dylan, Jacob and Alexander Hannu. Seven nieces and 2 nephews. He was proceeded in death by his parents, a beloved sister, Marjorie Johnson and brother, Jim Wagner. Bob also had many friends which he held dear and who added so much to life.

Bob crossed the rainbow bridge on May 1, 2026, after a short trial with Lymphoma brain cancer. Interment will be at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery on Jun 1, 2026, at 12:30 p.m., with a luncheon and gathering of family and friends following the burial service at the Veterans Reception Center in Van Meter, Iowa.

A gentle soul, now at peace.