Betty Wagner

Betty J. Wagner was born March 4, 1936 in Higginsville, MO, the daughter of Carl and Edna Wagner. She was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith. After graduating high school in 1954, she worked at the Higginsville Advance until entering college in December 1956. She graduated with a B.A. in English from the University of Central Missouri, August 5, 1960.

She then joined the Monticello (IA) Express as a reporter/photographer. She later became news editor, then editor and finally co-publisher-co-owner. She left the newspaper field in September 1980 and moved to Houston, Tx. She joined the Public Affairs Department of Houston Lighting & Power as an information specialist. She later was named lead communications specialist in the Benefits Department at its parent company, Houston Industries. She took early retirement in May of 1992 but returned the following year to work on two special projects. She then worked as a communications coordinator at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Houston, from January 1994 until September 2001, at which time she retired. She moved to Clovis, NM in August 2004.

during her newspaper career , she served as president of Iowa Press Women and of Iowa Business and Professionals club. She was active in various newspaper and civic organizations, served on the board of Camp Courageous of Iowa, a year-round facility for mentally and physically disabled , and was named to the Monticello Hall of Fame. She was the receptionist of 79 state and national journalism awards. After moving to Houston, she was active in Texas Press Women, International Association of Business Comunicators, and Women in Communications. She was honored with 24 business communications awards. She served as a dnor services volunteer at United Way of Eastern New Mexico from April 2006 until April 2019.

Miss Wagner is survived by two brothers, Roy I. Wagner of Casa Grande, AZ and Gene A. (Geraldine) Wagner of Concordia, MO; one sister Martha Ann (Marty) Jenkins of Clovis, NM; seven nephews, one niece, nine great-nephews and five great-nieces and one great-great nephew.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister-in-law, Rosemary Mitchell Wagner.

No flowers. memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Clovis, NM.