Theresa "Tess" Wagner

Tess Wagner story Theresa "Tess" Wagner was an amazing woman, brilliant, beautiful and full of spirit. She was a woman so ahead of her time, who taught her children the value of an education, and of an open mind. She was an amazing mother, and a wonderful wife, and lived such a full and vibrant life. Tess was a woman who could light up a room just by being there. It's that light - and her life - that we remember today. Tess was born November 1, 1921, on a cool Tuesday in Muskegon, the third child of seven born to Rose (Ronning) and Ruben Melin. Tess was joined in the Melin household by sisters Helen, Esther, Vivian, and Shirley, and brothers Joe and Ruben "Junior." Her father worked at Shaw Walker, while her mother stayed at home to raise the children. Tess attended Muskegon Heights High School, where she was very active. Always a brilliant and talented child, Tess participated in school plays, the Glee Club, and School Opera, among other activities. Her favorite pastime, though, was spending time with her sweetheart, Frank Wagner. Tess had known Frank since childhood, and the two formed a romance in high school, and dated throughout. Frank always loved Tess, but who wouldn't? She was "a real looker," according to Frank (and just about everybody else). But Tess and Frank were soulmates, and so lucky to have each other their whole lives. Tess graduated from Muskegon Heights in 1940, and married her sweetheart on November 1, 1941, the best birthday gift she could ever receive. The two exchanged vows at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where they each attended and went to catechism classes together. Frank was working at Sealed Power, while Tess was employed by the phone company until she got married, when she had to quit, because that was the rule. Times were tough in those days, leading up to America's involvement in World War II, and Frank's number soon came up for the draft. Rather than go in as a draftee, Frank instead enlisted in the Air Force. The couple's first daughter, Terri, was born not long after, in 1942, and Frank was promptly sent to Europe to fight the war, while Tess and Terri moved in with Frank's parents. When the war was over and Frank returned home, Terri didn't know who he was, because to her, Daddy was the man in the picture on the shelf that she said her prayers to each night. Tess was a woman ahead of her time, in so many ways. After Terri was born, Tess became interested in natural childbirth, which was far from a common thing in the 1940s. She began studying the practice on her own, including how hypnosis could make childbirth easier. Together with her family doctor, Dr. Ralph August, she further explored these methods, employing her natural intellect and curiosity. Tess had a profound influence on Dr. August, who changed his philosophy as well as his area of expertise, from general practice to OB/GYN. Tess had more opportunities to put these theories into practice, as well. Their son Dennis was born in 1948, followed by daughter Mary in 1952 and son Mark in 1954. Naturally, Tess was an amazing mother, full of love, attention and affection. She was very involved with her children's educations, both as a PTA member and as the first president of the Holman School Association. Most of all, she instilled a love of learning in her children, who were fortunate to be born with their mother's sense of curiosity of the world around them. She taught them that an education was the greatest gift they could receive, and made sure each of them attended college, no matter how far away. She loved her children dearly, and always wanted to hold them close, yet she pushed them out of the nest, knowing that experience is always the best teacher. Frank had resumed his job at Sealed Power after the war, and the company relocated him and his family to LaGrange, Indiana in the 1960s, and later Michigan City, where they resided for 17 years. When her children were all nearly done with school, Tess went back to work, at the age of 50. She worked in the attendance office of the Michigan City School System, and eventually moved up to become the executive secretary to the Superintendent of the school district. Tess worked in the school district for 11 years, before finally retiring, while Frank continued working for Sealed Power for a few more years. After he stopped working in 1985, he and his bride moved back to Muskegon to enjoy their retirement together. And did they ever enjoy it. They were a perfect couple, with such passion for each other, and the world around them. And they wanted to see as much of that world as they could, and began to travel. Everywhere. They traveled to 44 different states (visiting, not just "passing through"), as well as 10 foreign countries and Europe. Most of the time it was just the two of them, enjoying each other's company in the car on long road trips to someplace new, a new experience they could share together. They wintered in Gulf Shores, Alabama for many years, as well. When she wasn't traveling, Tess loved to take care of her beautiful garden, and always kept her yard looking good. She was such a vibrant, active and fun-loving woman, but enjoyed her leisure time as well. A note on her refrigerator offered the reminder "I don't do mornings." But more than anything, Tess enjoyed her family, and even though her children lived in different parts of the country, she visited them often for vacations and holidays. She and Frank also attended the First Communion for each of their three beautiful grandchildren, Jane, Sarah and Katie. Tess and Frank were both faithful Catholics, and truly appreciated the old traditions of the church. They attended St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church in Muskegon regularly. But Tess and Frank did everything they could together, and their 50th wedding anniversary was such an important milestone in their life. They were hoping to celebrate their 65th together, as well, adding another chapter in their lifelong, storybook romance. Tess was an amazing woman, a brilliant, beautiful, and vibrant woman, who truly lived life to the fullest. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and teacher, and a woman who taught us so much. But her greatest lesson was to never stop learning, or loving, or living every day to the fullest, just the way she did. She will be greatly, deeply missed. Tess is survived by her husband, Frank; 2 sons, Dennis Wagner of Jackson, MI & Mark (Cindy) Wagner of Washington, D.C.; 2 daughters, Terri (Jim Walz) Wagner of Kalamazoo & Mary (David Barton) Wagner of WI; 3 grandchildren, Jane Barton, Sarah Wagner & Katie Wagner. She was preceded in death by 4 sisters & 2 brothers. SERVICE Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, January 21, 2006, 11:00 AM at St. Francis deSales Catholic Church with interment at St. Mary's Cemetery. VISITATION Friday, 7-9 PM with a Scripture Service at 8:00 PM at Clock Funeral Home. Please visit Martin's personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory, sign the guestbook, or post a memorial contribution St. Francis deSales Catholic Church.