It has pleased Almighty God to call the soul of Karen Elizabeth Wagner to her Heavenly Home on Dec. 22, 2020. Karen was born on Feb 28, 1944 to Robert Moyer and Doris (Dock) Moyer in Norfolk, VA both of whom are deceased. The family moved numerous times, but she spent most of her youth in Burlingame, CA. After graduating from high school, she earned her degree in Education at the Univ. of CA-Santa Barbara.
Karen taught elementary education in Santa Barbara, CA, was a teaching principal in Lebanon, OR, and taught in Roosevelt, UT before finishing her career in Delta, Colorado at Cedaredge Elementary and Lincoln Elementary Schools. Her love of teaching was unmatched, and she was thrilled and proud of the young people she had mentored. She loved it when former students acknowledged her and told her of their accomplishments.
Karen was a woman of many talents. She enjoyed golfing when she was able to physically do it, loved fishing and catching more and bigger fish than her husband, sang with the Valley Symphony Chorus, currently was serving as Financial Secretary for Redeemer Lutheran Church, and called on her educational background to assist in the formation of Redeemer’s Tiny Treasures Preschool. One of her proudest accomplishments was leading the effort to help design, raise funds, and install the “Path to Redemption” stained-glass windows at Redeemer. She, along with good friend and fellow artist Marlene Carson, also designed and built numerous pieces of stained-glass art. Whatever the project, Karen gave 100% effort.
Surviving Karen are her devoted husband, Gordon Wagner, of Cedaredge, deeply loved daughter, Amber Vitale (Ramy Mam), grandchildren Philippe and Mia; treasured stepdaughter Laurie Jones (Larin) and their children Tyler (Brittany), Mackenzie, and Aubrey Grace.
Karen is also survived by her first husband, James (Jim) Boast.
Also preceding her in death was her second husband, Hugh Fairchild. She was proud to be a “second mom” to his surviving children from a previous marriage: Todd (Debbie) and Mark (Heather), and assisted Hugh in the raising of Dawn Rodgers (Craig) and Matt who also survive. Sadly, Karen was also preceded in death by her stepson, Todd Wagner.
Other mourners include her “extra sister”, Betty Brusenback, and best friend, Mary Ann Rayside. Not to be forgotten among the mourners are neighbors in her sub-division, fellow believers at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Delta, former students and their parents, relatives scattered throughout the United States and Norway, and her pals with whom she played “Hand and Foot” weekly.
A Funeral Service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1000 Pioneer Road, Delta on Jan 4, 2021 at 12:00 noon with inurnment following the service at Cedaredge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church-Tiny Treasures Preschool.
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10