Ruth A. “Ruthie” Wagner, age 80, of 9 Sandy Lane; Gladstone, passed away Tuesday, February 12th, 2008 at St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba where she was a patient for approximately three weeks.
Ruthie was born in Detroit, Michigan on March 1st, 1927, the daughter of Steven and Josephine (Julien) Glowzinski and was raised in the Redford, Michigan area. After graduating from Redford High School in 1945, she attended the Mercy School of Nursing from 1945 to 1948, where she received her degree as a Registered Nurse. From 1945 to 1948, she was also a member of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps. Subsequently, while residing in Lower Michigan and continuing in her nursing profession, Ruthie was President of Mercy Hospital Alumni Association, President of the Port Huron Blue Water Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN), and served as an In-service Operating Room Coordinator of Mercy Hospital in Port Huron.
After her marriage to James A. Wagner on June 7th, 1957 in Detroit, Ruthie and Jim made their home in Casco, Michigan and began to raise their family. In 1976, they relocated to Delta County and settled in Cornell where they built their own home. They later built another home in Gladstone in 1989 where they resided since. James Wagner died March 15th, 2003.
Ruthie continued with her medical career at St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba and was employed as manager of the OSF Hospital OR/PAR/OP areas for 14 years from 1976 until 1999. She also served as President of the St. Francis Auxiliary for 10 years from 1993 to 2003. From 1976 to 1989, she proudly volunteered as treasurer for the Upper Peninsula Association of Operating Room Nurses.
Ruthie Wagner was a member of Holy Family Church in Flat Rock. Family and friends fondly remember her enjoyment with cooking and her pleasure in experimenting with numerous new recipes. She was also an ardent fan of the “Detroit Tigers” and she happily celebrated her 80th birthday attending one of their baseball games.
Ruth Wagner survivors include:
3 Sons- John (Betty) Wagner of Colorado; Frederick (Mary Boudreau) Wagner of Gladstone; Gerald “Tiny” (Bonnie) Wagner of Watson
2 Sisters-Marion (Lou) Lyman of Detroit; Doris Breijak of Detroit
6 Grandchildren- Joseph, Michael, Paul, and Daniel Wagner; Heidi (Nathan) Belanger, Andy Boudreau,
and 4 great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, and her husband, James A. Wagner, Ruthie was preceded in death by two sisters, Jean Barnes and Alice Goodreau.
The family of Ruth Wagner will receive friends on Friday at Holy Family Church in Flat Rock from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon. Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Friday at 12:00 Noon at Holy Family Church with Rev. Fr. Joseph Maramattam officiating. Everyone is invited to luncheon following services in the parish hall.
The Wagner family suggests in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to the OSF St. Francis Auxiliary. Envelopes will be available at Holy Family Church during visitation and at the Skradski-Boyce Funeral Homes of Delta County who are assisting the family.
