Joan Wagner

Joan Wagner, born to John and Jenny Plutt in Denver, Colorado on July 7, 1927, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2018 at her home in Whitehall.

Joan came to Whitehall to live with her son, Don Wagner and his wife, Linda, in 2015 after the death of her husband, Jim. She was married to Jim for 68 years and they had nine children: Don, Steve, Chris, Bob, Carolyn, Scott, Mary, Sue, and Terri. She had 34 grandchildren, 94 great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. Joan worked as a housewife and mother, while also helping her husband run his successful landscaping business out of their home in Wheatridge, Colorado. Due to having to quit school after 8th grade to go to work, Joan decided to go back to school at 50 years old and earn her high school diploma. It took her three years of hard work, while still juggling raising a family and running a business, but proudly received her diploma with her family in the audience. When their youngest child was in high school, Joan and Jim purchased land and built a home in the foothills of Golden, Colorado. Joan kept busy and had several hobbies, such as sewing, baking, bowling, ceramics, making porcelain dolls, learning flower arranging, and square dancing. She and her husband were active members of their parish, St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.

When Joan moved to Whitehall, she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially the babies. She also loved sitting by her waterfall with the statue of the Blessed Mother, praying the Rosary. Joan made blankets for the New Hope Pregnancy Center, and Saint James Cancer Center in Butte, Montana. Last year alone, she made over 200 blankets!

A vigil service will be held Thursday, June 14, 7:00 p.m. at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Whitehall. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, June 15, 11:00 am at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Whitehall. Joan will be buried with her husband at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New Hope Pregnancy Center: 320 S. Idaho St. Butte, MT 59701.