Rita Wagner

Rita L. Wagner, age 79, of Moorhead, MN, died Thursday, May 13, 2004, at Eventide Lutheran Home in Moorhead.


Rita Lucy Zins was born May 29, 1924, in Red Lake Falls, MN, to loving Christian parents, Joseph and Mary (Weinhandl) Zins. She grew up and received her education in Red Lake Falls. She was joined in marriage to Donavon Joseph Wagner on October 3, 1947, in Red Lake Falls. They made their home in Moorhead.



Three children were born from their love, Robert Laurence in 1948, Phyllis Marie in 1950, and Joseph Donavon in 1954. For the rest of her life, Rita was a devoted wife to Donavon, and a loving mother to her children, for whom she made many sacrifices, denying herself of so much.


"We love you mom and our hearts broke in a million pieces the day we lost you. Dad lost a big part of himself because you were half of him."

Rita is survived by her husband, Donavon, Moorhead; a daughter, Freedom Phyllis Gray, Moorhead; a son, Joe (Lynnae) Wagner, West Fargo, ND; a sister, Louise Foldesi, Greenbush, MN; two brothers, Ben Zins, Minneapolis, MN, and Francis Zins, Long Prairie, MN; seven grandchildren, Vern and Delaina Dahnke, Bill Wagner, Jonathon Gray, and Kailyn, Stacie and Abigail Clark; and many others who loved her and were so dear to her heart.

Rita was preceded in death by a son, Robert, who died on Dec. 20, 1989.

"Now heaven shines a lot brighter with you there, Mom. Love you forever."


Visitation: Sunday, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM
Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead, and
one hour before the funeral, at the church.


Prayer service: Sunday at 6:00 PM
Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.


Funeral service: Monday, May 17, 2004, at 1 PM
St. Joseph Catholic Church,
Moorhead, Minnesota.



Burial: St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Moorhead.