Eileen Grace Wagner

Eileen Grace Wagner, 73, of New Brighton, Minnesota, entered the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 30. She was born, the second of five children, to W. Franklin and Dorothy Brown and grew up in New Jersey surrounded by generations of family and faith. After a car accident at the age of 19, Eileen defied expectations and re-learned to walk and talk. She then attended Columbia University School of Nursing in New York City and graduated as a registered nurse. Eileen felt that her accident was a gift God gave her because it taught her how to respond with sympathy and compassion to those she cared for while nursing. Eileen and David married on December 29 and enjoyed 50 years of marriage. Together they adventured through life in New York, Wisconsin, and the Twin Cities, Minnesota, where they raised four children and opened their home to several foreign exchange students who became family. Eileen continued her nursing career as a nurse paraprofessional working with severely disabled children in the White Bear School District and finished with the MN Visiting Nursing Association. She loved meeting new people as well as learning new cultures and perspectives. Eileen loved to laugh, tell jokes, and play pranks. She often recounted her family’s history to her children and grandchildren, tracing the hand of God in their generations of faith. She had a heart for people and for justice and never stopped praying for peace. Of all her accomplishments and characteristics, she will be most treasured for her love of people and her desire to express that love whether it be through a handshake, a smile, or a really good hug.

Preceding her on the journey were her parents W. Franklin and Dorothy Brown and her father- and mother-in-law Bruce and Esther Wagner.

Eileen is lovingly remembered by, as she put it to the ICU staff, “the BEST family” which includes her husband Dave; her children Nathan (Anne), Tim (April), Dan (Skyra), and Beth (Matt). She leaves behind 10 cherished grandchildren: Caleb, Audrey, Peter, Jasmine, Leona, Evangeline, Cornelia, Arthur, Ray, and Vera.

She is also missed by her siblings: Bill (Violet), Tim (Diane), Joan (Mark), and Jan (Fred); siblings-in-law: Gene (Angel), Liz (Bruce), and Suzie (Chris); dear cousins: Susan and Ruthanne; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Friends and family are invited to Sunset Funeral Chapel (2250 St. Anthony Blvd NE, Minneapolis), on the grounds of Sunset Park and Cemetery, for a public viewing at 12:30 p.m. and the celebration of life service at 1:30 p.m. with burial immediately following.

The family requests that anyone attending please wear a mask.

Memorials may be made in Eileen’s honor to your preferred charity. Also, please consider sharing your memories of Eileen with the family through the cards available at the service.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunsetfuneralservices.com for the Wagner family.