Benjamin Wagner

Benjamin Albin Wagner, born the second of 3 children to Agatha and Norbert Wagner on July 2, 1934, passed away August 17, 2025 surrounded by family. Ben was very active in his community - recording books for the blind, volunteering for years at St. Vincent DePaul, as a active member the Kiwanis Club, Knights of Columbus and Serra Clubs of Green Bay. He cared for people and loved meeting new people and hearing their stories every day. He avidly played racquetball until his mid '80's and biked many miles on the Fox River Trail until very recently. He was a longtime patron of the Allouez Café and cherished the friendship and community he found there.

A dedicated pond fisherman at an early age he spent summer days, armed with a pole and a sack lunch, catching dinner for his family while his father worked in Manitowoc at the shipyards, dropping him off as he left for work and picking him up for a ride home with a string of fish at the end of the work day. He always worked, driving a milk route, working for the county and driving school bus.

He loved sports from early on, playing racquetball, baseball and basketball whenever he could. Leading to volunteer coaching Babe Ruth baseball in Allouez and refereeing basketball for the catholic schools.

Ben loved reading and was a lifelong learner. Ben served in the army including being stationed in Germany. During his university years, he met his wife, Jennie Lee. They were married for over 35 years, and they remained close until her passing. After completing his university degree, he worked professionally for decades at Wausau insurance company. He raised 4 children John (Rick), Christine, Edward and Karen (Ujvala) and loved his grandchildren Chelsea (Nick) and Nathan, and great grandchildren Mason and Audrey very much.

He is survived by his godsons, many nephews and nieces whose hearts he touched.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Elmer and sister-in-law Mary Lou, sister Christina and his wife Jennie Lee.

Family and friends may visit St. Matthew Catholic Church, 130 St. Matthew Street, Allouez, on Saturday, August 23, from 9:30am until 10:45am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am with Fr. Bob Kabat officiating. Burial will be private in St. Mary Cemetery, Chilton.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Casa ALBA Melanie, or a charity of your choice in Ben’s honor.

Our family would like to thank the caregivers at St. Vincent Hospital, Unity Hospice, and his friends at the Allouez Café.