Edna Wagner

In loving memory of her beautiful, caring, and creative spirit, we mourn the passing of Edna Jean Wagner (née Belt) of Erie, Pennsylvania on November 20, 2021. Edna passed away peacefully at UPMC Hamot following a short illness. Her loving family was by her side as she was warmly embraced by the Lord’s loving arms.

Edna was born “Edna Jean Belt” on December 29, 1932, to George Henry Belt and Rachael Elizabeth Belt (née Reed) in Bell Township, Pennsylvania. She was blessed with seven brothers and sisters: Minnie, Helen, Ruth, Lynn, Betty, David (“Bud”) and Norman. Eventually, the family moved to Erie County, PA where Edna graduated from Edinboro High School in 1950.

Following her graduation Edna worked at S.A. Wagner Insurance Agency in Erie, PA where she met her husband, William (“Bill”) Irwin Wagner. Edna and Bill were married on June 12, 1954, in Erie and then moved to Topeka, Kansas where Bill was serving in the United States Air Force. The couple returned to Erie where they lived the remaining 67 years of married life together.

Throughout her life, Edna was a devoted mother to five children, Douglas, Thomas, Daniel, Karen, and Kristy, and a loving wife to her husband, Bill. Edna adored her family and family life and traveled the US to see the natural beauty of this country together with her husband and children. She made sure to create lasting memories with every family camping trip. She was actively involved in the after-school activities of her children and took pleasure in watching them grow and create their own lives.

Edna was also a mother to foreign exchange students who lived with the family while they attended McDowell High School in Erie County. She created a welcoming home away from home and became a second mother to them. These loving daughters include Johanna of Finland, Eli of Norway, Yuko of Japan, Lene of Denmark, Silke of Germany, and Paivi of Finland. The relationships forged during their stay with Edna and her family continued even after returning to their native countries.

In addition to her family camping trips, Edna experienced wonderful get-togethers with her sisters at Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. She also traveled to Australia, Europe, and Japan to see extended family and loved those international experiences. Edna took delight in cooking and baking, her apple pie being one the favorite things enjoyed by her family. She spent many afternoons with her husband and children playing Aggravation, her favorite boardgame. She also enjoyed taking in the occasional Erie SeaWolves baseball game. An avid lover of nature, she took pleasure in watching the variety of birds that would come to her back porch. One of her favorite times of the day was early morning when she would sit alone on her couch and read scripture at sunrise.

As a giving and selfless person, Edna enjoyed helping others and was passionate about her belief in God and church. She taught Sunday School at the Sarah Hearn Memorial Presbyterian Church in Erie – now New Hope Church – and enjoyed her Circle meetings. Actively involved as a volunteer, she helped with church events that were close to her heart, assisting with the church’s annual rummage sale, and visiting various nursing homes. Edna inspired others to imagine and create a better world through her passion for helping those most in need.

Edna was preceded in death by her parents George and Elizabeth, her infant son Thomas Wagner, and sister Betty Wiley. She is survived by her husband, Bill Wagner of Erie; son Douglas Wagner and wife Kelly of Eugene, Oregon; son Daniel Wagner and wife Gloria of Bedford, Ohio; daughter Karen Imanishi and husband Toshihiro of Portland, Oregon; daughter Kristy Farley and husband James of Butler, Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Julian Meeks-Wagner, Ursula Meeks-Wagner, Emily Imanishi and Nathaniel Farley; sisters Minnie Barnes, Helen Weaver, Ruth Young and Lynn Manners; brothers David (“Bud”) Belt and Norman Belt; many nieces and nephews; brother-in-law Donald Wagner and wife Karen; and Skippy, her faithful four-footed companion.

Edna will be deeply missed by her family and friends, but her spirit of giving and her compassion for others will live on through them. All that knew and loved her will be forever grateful to have met this amazing and wonderful human being.

The family will have a public memorial service for Edna at the Burton Funeral Home located at 3801 W 26^th Street, Erie, PA 16506, beginning at 12:00 noon on Friday, December 3, 2021, followed by a reception and celebration of Edna’s life at Syd’s Place restaurant located at 2992 W Lake Road, Erie, PA 16505 from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM. The burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, remembrance donations should be designated in the name of Edna Jean Wagner to the Erie Humane Society at P.O. Box 3930 Erie, PA 16508.

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