Wendell Dean Wagner

Wendell Wagner of Corvallis, Oregon passed away July 24, 2025, at the age of 70. Wendell Dean Wagner was born on August 20, 1954, in Kinsley, Kansas. He was the first child of John H and Wilma Jean (Herrmann) Wagner. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Redeemer Lutheran in Kinsley, Kansas. He grew up on the family farm with his four siblings. Surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and Herrmann cousins, there were many holidays and celebrations with faith, family, and homemade food as the foundation. Wendell was an avid reader and a fierce card and board game player with his family. He graduated from Kinsley High School in 1972 where he played the violin, trombone and golf and was on the debate team. He earned his bachelor’s degrees in nuclear engineering and business administration from Kansas State University in 1977. Wendell’s career in nuclear engineering took him to work in Illinois, Texas, Washington, Idaho, Kansas and Oregon. Wendell married Gabriela Lopez on November 19, 2011, at Trinity Lutheran in McFarland, Kansas. Their son, Wilfred Harold, was the light of his world. Wendell was preceded in death by his parents and his grandparents, John and Bertha (Kuhn) Wagner and Charles and Mary (Brehm) Herrmann. He is survived by his wife and son, brothers, Randell Wagner (Shawn), Fort Worth, Texas; Lowell Wagner (Mary Kay), Offerle, Kansas; sisters, Charla Wagner, Topeka, Kansas; Karla Gordon (Scott), Overland Park, Kansas; mother-in-law, Ester V. Alvarado, Albay, Philippines; brother-in-law, Bulganen A. Lopez (Charie Ann), Albay, Philippines; nephews, Brandon Wagner (Libby), John Paul Wagner, Eric Gordon (Nicole), Wendell Lopez; and nieces: Kristyn Brigance (Daniel), Kelsey Gordon, Laurin Wagner, Kirsten Gordon, Therese Lopez, and Atarah Lopez. Great-nephews and niece: Wyatt Brigance, Laurel Brigance, and Reed Wagner. A viewing will be held at DeMoss-Durdan Funeral Home 815 NW Buchanan Ave, Corvallis, Oregon on Monday, August 11, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Per Wendell's wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 434 E Grant Street, Lebanon, Oregon with Pastor Michael Miller officiating. Memorial contributions may be made as gifts in Wendell’s name to either Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 434 E Grant Street, Lebanon, OR 97355 or Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 201 Massachusetts, Kinsley, KS 67547.

Wendell Dean Wagner

August 20, 1954 - July 24, 2025