Christine Wagenknechdt was born in the city of Mines, Germany, on September 29, 1849 and in May of 1850 came to America with her parents. After living in Milwaukee a short time, the family settled at Barton, Wisconsin. Here she met and married Philip Wagner who passed away 35 years ago. Forty three years ago on June 15 the Wagner's came to Oconto Falls and this has been the family home ever since.
When Mrs. Wagner was a girl of 3, she was orphaned. Her mother died and her father went to the Civil War, never to return to his four motherless daughters.
This estimable lady is mourned by two daughters and two sons. Meta of Oconto Falls, who has been strength and Della, Mrs. E. K. Wolfram of Milwaukee; W.R. Wagner of Detroit and Louis C. Wagner, of Narrow Lake, Ontario, Canada.
Funeral services are being held at the Methodist Episcopal church of this city on this Thursday afternoon, the Rev. V.T. Nearhoof officiating. Pallbearers are Edward Graf, Orrie Saunders, John Meyer, Grover Lane, Albert Gillis and Wm Munsert. Burial will take place in Woodlawn cemetery.
Mrs. Wagner was a charter member of the Royal Neighbor Lodge here, and the members of this order will attend the services in a body. At the graveside, the memorial services of the lodge will be held. The tenets of the R.N.A. were practiced by Mrs. Wagner for she was a neighbor in the truest sense of the word. She will be missed by a large circle of friends.
The many beautiful floral tributes spoke mutely of the high regard in which she was held. Relative from away who are here included Mr. and Mrs. E.K. Wolfram of Milwaukee; Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Wagner, son Tom and daughter, Mrs. George Lockwood, all of Detroit, Michigan. The bereaved children must find consolation in the fact the "Mother is better" and in the sincere sympathy of their many friends in the loss of their best friend.
One mother is all we are allotted and when she is gone, there is a vacancy never to be filled. But there is a sweet satisfaction to feel assured that mother has gone on before and that shw will be waiting for us. We cannot say the Mrs. Wagner is gone, however, for who can declare that the good influences of a sturdy pioneer mother will ever cease working, even tho the earthly body is gone. Part of her life has been stamped indelibly into the city of Oconto Falls, and it cannot be erased.