Palmer J. Wagner

Our beloved patriarch, Palmer J. Wagner, 90, passed away Feb. 3, 2010 in Spokane, WA. He was born the third of four children to Jacob J. Wagner and Mary (Meier) Wagner July 6, 1919 in Farmington, WA.

Palmer attended the Silvercreek Grade School near his home south of Farmington, attended Farmington High School for three years and graduated from Yakima Valley Academy in Granger, WA in 1937. He purchased farmland near Garfield, WA in 1939 and married Lucille Schoepflin Oct. 16, 1940. His major crop was wheat, but he also loved horses, especially the Appaloosa breed which he raised and researched for most of his adult life. This endeavor resulted in his book, The American Appaloosa Anthology, which was published in 1999. Palmer was a 55-year member of the Grange at the local and national levels. He served as Master of LaDow Grange #995, Master of Whitman County Pomona Grange and Washington State Grange Deputy. He also served during three U.S. Presidential administrations as a commodity lobbyist in Washington D.C. He was invited to and attended the Inaugural Ball of President John F. Kennedy. Palmer’s services as a vocal soloist were often requested for funerals or special occasions in the greater Inland Empire.

After the death of his wife, Lucille, in 1965, he married Maxine Rudy Meier on Jan. 4, 1966. She was the widow of his cousin, Dr. Fabian Meier. The Garfield farm was sold, but the horse ranching continued many more years. Palmer also worked as an insurance adjuster in the Portland, OR/Vancouver, WA area. He described it as “a fulfilling experience to verify, evaluate and pay bona fide claims, directly, without much time or litigation.”

After retirement, he was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of building his own home - - a three-level log house in Colbert, WA.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Maxine of Spokane; sister, Miriam Schoepflin of Farmington, WA; daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Patrick Higgins of Spokane; sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. Steve and Nancy Wagner of Oak Hills, CA, Ted and Kristin Wagner of Deer Park, WA, Dr. Paul and Rita Meier of Marshfield, WI, Dr. Mark and Adrienne Meier of Aptos, CA; grandchildren, Tim and Mike Higgins, Stacia Phillips, Dr. Jarrad Wagner, Jill Meier, Amy Foundos, Katy Zaleski, Adam Meier, Heidi Miller, Kescia Baer; 20 great-grandchildren; five first cousins; and many nieces and nephews. Palmer was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Mary Wagner; wife, Lucille; sister, Leona Schwartz; and brother, Paul Wagner.

Viewing will be at Hazen & Jaeger Funeral Home, 1306 N. Monroe St. in Spokane on Thursday, February 11 from noon to 8 PM. The funeral services will be held at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Farmington, WA on Friday, February 12, 2010 at 11:00 AM followed by interment at Silvercreek Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Spokane, PO Box 2215, Spokane, WA 99210, or to a Haiti Relief fund of one’s choice. Please visit our on-line memorial at www.mem.com .

The family wishes to express their gratitude for the wonderful care of Dr. Daniel Dionne and the staff of Northpointe Retirement Community.