"Please accept my deepest sympathy for your great loss. I had occasion to visit with Bee a few times over the years when we were at the same events and she was always very gracious to me. You are all in my thoughts."
In loving memory of
Bernice Walz Wagner
January 31, 2019
Bernice "Bee" Walz Wagner, age 91, of Quincy, died on Thursday, January 31, 2019 at 9:12 am in the Illinois Veterans Home.
Bernice was born November 29, 1927 in Quincy, Illinois, the daughter of Charles and Rose Wilhelm Hilfrink. She married Russell Walz on July 7, 1945 at St. John's Catholic Church in Quincy. He preceded her in death in 1976. Bernice married Thomas Kee in August of 1984 in Hannibal, Missouri. He preceded her in death on December 29, 1996. She married Dr. Lavern J. Wagner on September 5, 1998 in Quincy. He preceded her in death on December 4, 2012.
Bernice was a 1945 graduate of Quincy Notre Dame High School. After her marriage to Russell Walz, she stayed at home and raised their six children. She was later employed as a school bus driver by the Quincy Public Schools for 19 years. In her retirement, she worked for American Greetings for 5 years and volunteered for over 10 years at Blessing Hospital and Blessing Physician Services.
Bernice loved camping and fishing and was a very good bowler. After marrying Lavern, she attended many music events, which she greatly enjoyed. She always had a love for animals, especially dogs, and cherished her dachshund, Peanut.
Survivors include five children, Pat Livingston of Canton, MO, Cynthia (Sam) Edwards of Smithfield, NC, Mark (Linda) Walz of Olathe, KS, Greg Walz of Granite City, IL, and Mary (Scott) Yates of Loxley, AL; 14 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; 13 step-children, Gerry (Holly) Wagner of Quincy, Therese (Jimmy) Hefferman of Myrtle Beach, SC, Heidi (Timothy) Fielding of N Hollywood, CA, Brian (Audrey) Wagner of Carbondale, IL, Jeanine (Margaret) Wagner, of Raleigh, NC, Bernadette (Tom) Allbaugh of Alta Loma, CA, Ted (Jean) Wagner, Abilene, TX, Cecilia Wagner of Philadelphia, PA, Martin (Karen) Wagner, and Jillian (Cole) Miller, all of Quincy, IL, Erica Wagner, Fort Worth, TX, Chris Wagner of Canton, IL, and Todd (Alaina) Wagner of Quincy; 24 step grandchildren; and eight step great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husbands, Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, one brother, a daughter, Diane Riley, a step-daughter, Catherine Wagner-Inman, and a step-grandson, Michael Allbaugh.
Services: 11:00 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home with Rev. Martin Eden officiating.
Burial: Calvary Cemetery, Quincy, Illinois
Memorials: Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
www.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.
Tributes
"Your thoughts and prayers or with you Mary and the family"
"So sorry for your loss. My father, Art Kunkel, so enjoyed his classmate Bernice and was so proud of his Class of 1945! God bless all of you as you celebrate her life."
"So sorry to hear of Bee passing, I drove a bus with & had lots of even after she retired we kept in touch, My Deepest Sympathy to the family & am keeping you in prayer"
"So sorry for your loss& deeply saddened for your loss I drove a bus with Bee all those years we sure a ton of fun hugs & prayers as I?m not able to attend, too far away I cherish our friendship"
"Missy and Angel sorry for your loss! If there is anything I can do I?m a call or text away."
"So sorry to hear of your loss, my condolences to the whole family. I read the obituary...your Mother was something else!! Bless her heart...xxx"
"To Greg, Mary and all of Bee'S family, John and I want to say we are so sorry for the loss of your mom. John and I both will miss her greatly. We had so many fun times as she was my school bus driver when I was in Jr. high and I sat right behind her as we had no GPS in those days just hand written notes to go by as where to stop and pick up kids going to school in the rural area. I would tell her where to stop to pick all kids up and on snowy days when it was so cold and the bus heater didn't keep off the frost id wipe the windows off the front and side door windows so Bee could see. Later on in life we became neighbors and best friends walking peanut and shopping for her. we always stopped after church for visits to see her and peanut. The Christmas parties we had and on holidays she knew John and I would always see to it she had a holiday feast from our family get togethers. even when she moved into the veterans home she was just down the hall from my mother so we had her eat with us and she loved Johns home made chicken and noodles and his macaroni salad. Bee in return would make john and I deviled eggs which she knew John and I loved. She always shared cakes cookies or candy bars on our many visits. she was deeply loved by the both of us. I will never forget our love for MICKEY MOUSE. we both were huge fans. may God comfort all of Bees family and we are glad Bee is not hurting any longer and free of pain. Sincerely, John P. King and Jeff R. Moran-King."
"Mary sorry to read about your loss. May God be with you and yours. Marge Hyer"
"Greg and Family - I am sorry for your loss - I wish you peace"
"Condolences to the wonderful Wagner family. I didn?t have an opportunity to meet Bee, but what a blessing she was for your father and your family."
"Missy Livingston my thoughts and prayers are with you."
"Im so sorry. I only met her once when she came to Yuma for a visit. She was so fun and down to Earth and very nice."
"God grant eternal repose to her soul and peace to the hearts of all who knew her"
"Mary and family, So sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you."
"Dear Jeanine, Margaret and Cecilia, My deepest sympathy and love over your loss... Truly, Jerry & Lonnie Piper"
"My mom knew Bee. Condolences to the family"