Virgil Dean Wagner of Middle River, MN passed away on Saturday, November 18, 2023, on arrival at Sanford Medical Center in Thief River Falls, MN.
Funeral service for Virgil was at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at Our Saviors Thief Lake Church rural Middle River with Reverend Kevin Hackney officiating. Burial followed at the German Evangelical Cemetery, rural Middle River. A Luncheon in Virgil’s honor took place at the American Legion in Middle River, MN. Visitation was held on Friday evening starting at 5:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service at Our Saviors Lutheran Church at Thief Lake and also for one hour prior to the service. Virgil had many interests throughout his life. He had a love of the land and the outdoors, being an avid hunter and farmer. He was a veteran and active in the American legion as well as in his church and community organizations but was most proud of being a husband, father and grandfather. Virgil believed “if it isn’t red leave it in the shed” for tractors, pickups and Corvettes. His favorite color was red. He was blessed with many friends and family who shared his life.
Virgil was born on June 12, 1941, to Anton and Augot (Johnson) Wagner. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.
After graduation from Middle River High School in 1959, he went to work for a local telephone company. Then he started working for Augsburg Press in Minneapolis during which he was drafted into the US Army (Vietnam Era) on January 21, 1964. He went to basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri followed by 3 months of signal training at Fort Gordon in Augusta, GA. He was then shipped to Germany where he served until January 10, 1966 achieving the rank of Specialist (E-4), in a Signal (Communications) Battalion. While in the Army he met lifelong friends Orrie Flermoen and Art Idso.
After being honorably discharged from the Army, Virgil returned home and began working at Arctic Cat, including racing snowmobiles, winning multiple trophies. After leaving Arctic Cat, he began full time farming, which he continued throughout his life. He also worked for Walton’s Inc. of Middle River delivering equipment; for two local elevators as a floater operator spreading dry fertilizer, semi driver and elevator manager; Forsberg’s, and Future Fuels of Thief River Falls. He was a certified locksmith and also owned a summer and winter road maintenance business.
On opening weekend of deer season in 1967 Virgil left hunting on Saturday night to go on a blind date with Bonnie Sculthorp, arranged by their brothers, Ken and Dick. It was worth the missed hunting time as he and Bonnie hit it off. They were married on July 12, 1969. From this union two children were born, Jason Dean and KayeLyn Jean. Virgil and Bonnie were involved in many activities together and were true partners to each other, being married for 54 years. They enjoyed traveling together and spending time with their family going camping, to WE Fest, to the Black Hills, New York, Washington DC, Florida, Alaska, Michigan, Missouri, and Kentucky as well as many events for their children and grandchildren. In 2017 Virgil and Bonnie were also recognized as Marshall County Senior Citizens of the Year. They attended numerous American Legion, church, and community events together. Family has always mattered to Virgil, he took a trip to the West coast and Canada with his mother, his cousin Harold, and wife Jean, and Jason to visit relatives of his mother’s.
Virgil’s favorite thing was being a grandpa. After a wonderful daughter- in-law, Jana, joined the family in 1994, two amazing grandchildren came along. He treasured his time with Kolton Dean and Karlie Marie, passing on many of his interests to both of them. He never missed a chance to cheer them on at any of their activities and could often be seen wearing a hat or T-shirt declaring his joy of being a grandpa. Virgil, Kolton, and Jason even took a guy’s trip to Iowa for a farm toy show.
Virgil was a proud farmer, initially farming with his dad before taking over on his own and then farming with his brother Ray. He has passed that love onto Jason and Kolton, teaching, showing, leading the way to the 4th generation of Wagner Farms. Virgil also thought it was important to preserve the history of his farm and farming, being actively involved in WMSTR and Northland Threshing Bee. He also owned one of the last original Steiger tractors built on the farm in Red Lake Falls. He recently was awarded the people’s choice award at the first annual Marshall County Historical Society/Warren Alvarado FFA Tractor Show and 1st place antique tractor at the Marshall County Fair parade. Virgil also enjoyed anything with an engine -from airplanes, cars, and snowmobiles (which he rode into his late 70s often outdriving the younger guys even at that late age). He and KayeLyn shared a special connection over cars, passing his love for Corvettes on to her. They attended the reveal of the mid-engine Corvette in California in 2019. He and Bonnie even volunteered to travel from their home to pull a trailer across South Dakota for the 50th anniversary of the Black Hills Corvette Classic in 2021. He encouraged KayeLyn to reach for any goal she set for herself.
He also had a love for animals, having had many pets throughout the years, the most recent being their cat Muffin, whom Virgil bought for Bonnie as a Christmas gift in 2022. He and his granddaughter Karlie shared this connection as well, raising several animals together including horses and geese.
He was active in his church as a deacon, council member and president. He gave back to his community as part of the community club. Virgil was a 54-year member of the American Legion, serving many roles including Hans E Lian Post 444 Commander, 9 times, and Adjutant, 11 times. He had been a member of the Honor Guard as Bugler and was currently 1st Vice/Membership Chairman for Post 444. In the 9th District he was Area 1 Vice Commander for 3 years, Vice Commander at Large, District Commander 2003-2004, Sargent-at-Arms for numerous years and District Chaplin for 2 years. For the American Legion Department of Minnesota, he was Area 6th and 9th District Vice Commander, 2005-2006 and appointed member of the accreditation committee for 3 three-year terms. He also attended numerous American Legion District, Department and National Conventions as a delegate. He was also a member of the 40&8. He was awarded a Quilt of Valor on August 17, 2019, by the Crookston American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 20. He was also a member of the Legion Riders.
Virgil was instrumental in the planning, design, construction and dedication of the Veterans Memorial Park in Middle River, Minnesota. Virgil and Bonnie donated part of the land for the memorial, which was dedicated on July 11, 2010.
Other Community activities included the North Country Horseman’s Saddle club, the Eagles, Middle River Theater Board, Middle River Driftskippers, groomer operator for local snowmobile trails, playing Santa Claus several times, snowmobile DNR safety instructor 30 years, Cedar Township board for more than 40 years, Marshall County Township Association for 30 years, Fire Warden 40 years, sponsor of the car and tractor show for the Middle River Goose Fest, Middle River school board for many years, member of the Sioux Falls Corvette Club and the National Corvette Museum in Kentucky.
Virgil is survived by his wife Bonnie; son Jason (Jana) of Moorhead, MN; daughter KayeLyn of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren Kolton and Karlie; brothers Ray (Kathy), Ken (Sharon), and Lloyd (Sharon); sisters-in-law Diane Sculthorp, Sheryl (Loren) Nowacki, Mary (Rick) Nordhagen; special friend cat Muffin; several nieces, nephews, godchildren, and many friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Anton and Augot; father-in-law and mother-in-law Ronald and Irene Sculthorp; brothers-in-law Jim and Dick Sculthorp; sister-in-law Sue Sculthorp; niece Lorae Johnson; niece Jill Stitch; godchild and nephew Jack Sculthorp; godchild Lisa Sorter; and other family and friends who preceded him on the heavenly journey.
He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and community.
