Daniel Edward Wagers

Our beloved father, Daniel Edward Wagers, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2026, at the age of 86 in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Dan will be remembered for his quick wit, his compassion for animals, and his love of antiques, especially antique clocks. He never met a deal he couldn’t turn down.

Dan was born in Alliance, Nebraska, on September 25, 1939, to W.E. “Ed” and Josephine “Tillie” (Reynolds) Wagers. He was their only child, cherished and raised by his loving parents. His home was filled with an abundance of laughter and warmth. Although Dan was an only child, he belonged to a large extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Dan’s witty sense of humor, talent for pranks, and gift for storytelling were inherited from his father, Ed.

Dan’s family moved from Alliance to Sheridan, Wyoming, in 1945 when his father’s job at the CB&Q Railroad transferred them there. It was here that Dan fell in love with the West, drawn to the fresh mountain air and picturesque vistas. The railroad transferred the family once again to Casper, Wyoming, in 1953.

Dan graduated from Natrona County High School in 1957. He spent two years at Casper College, where he got the acting bug. He participated in theatre, a role that suited his love of entertaining. He also lettered in Cheerleading, or as they were called - Yell Kings. After graduating from Casper College, Dan went to the University of Wyoming in Laramie. While there, he pledged the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. In college, Dan became ill with mono, and for a time had to move to California to live with his Uncle Bert to be in a warmer climate. He was so ill that he was read his last rites. He graduated with a B.S. in Engineering in 1963.

Dan followed in his father’s footsteps and worked for the Burlington Northern Railway. He began his career as a Trainman—and had the hat to prove it. He later moved up the corporate ladder and settled in Chicago, where he enjoyed the city’s sights and culture. While there, he met his best friend and partner in crime, Dan Nilles. The two were the perfect pair, equal parts wit and charm. They shared a one-bedroom apartment, where the landlord assumed they were a couple—an assumption they happily played along with. Armed with charm and their legendary “girl-gettin’ gimmicks,” they thoroughly enjoyed their time navigating city life and meeting new people.

One of those “gimmicks” worked, and in 1971, Dan married Kay (Marberg). Together, they settled in Minnesota. Dan fell in love with the charm of St. Paul, though he and Kay once thought raising a family in the suburbs might be best. In the end, they never made the move. Dan was far more suited to city life, where he could feel the pulse of the city and its people. The history, the beauty, and grandeur of Summit Ave. called Dan and his family to buy an 1885 Victorian house on Holly Ave. in St. Paul. It was during this time when Dan became an active member of the Ramsey Hill Association, attending social gatherings, putting the historic Holly house on the Ramsey Hill House Tour, and worked for a period of time as the Chairman of the land use committee. Dan and Kay had three beautiful children, John, Maureen, and Mary Jo. Dan was a proud father who treasured every card and art made for him by his children and grandchildren over the years.

Dan had a fondness for antiques, gadgets, and other curiosities, a love he shared with his children, teaching them to appreciate the unique and the unusual. His curiosity led him to all kinds of places, where he explored, learned, and met the most interesting people. He loved to be entertained with stories, just as much as he loved telling stories. He delighted in taking his children along on his adventures—whether it was a visit to Crazy Louie’s on University Avenue, a stop at Dairy Queen at the bottom of Ramsey Hill, or a drive over to Irvine Park to enjoy their treats. One of his favorite phrases, as he drove the family home from dinner out, was, “How about a tour of Lower Summit, kids?”

Dan had a keen eye for design and aesthetics. He could see the beauty and value in even the most unusual antiques. He even brought one of his treasures—a whirligig—to Antiques Roadshow!

In the early 1980s, the BN Railway was set to transfer Dan and his family to Texas. Dan decided that he wanted Minnesota to remain his home, so he took an early retirement. He turned his love of antiques and clocks and started a business repairing them. He always had a fascination with how machines operated and considered it a challenge to repair them. For a period of time, he taught clock repair at St. Paul Technical College. For years, Dan was a member of the Minnesota Clockmakers Guild, where he socialized with other clock enthusiasts.

Dan and the family treasured weekends at the Nilles farm, where the two Dans were known for their usual shenanigans. There were always stories to tell. In his retirement, Dan became the unofficial mayor of Bread and Chocolate on Grand Avenue. He met with friends there every morning to share stories and discuss the projects they were working on. He delighted in pulling gags on his friends and passersby, and loved watching people come and go, as neighbors, friends, and family stopped in to say hello. When asked, “How are you, Dan?” he would always reply, “Still kickin’.”

As the years went on, in a new chapter of Dan’s life, he found joy with his companion, Florence Gifford. Together, they traveled the world, taking the Queen Mary cruise ship from New York to England, and traveling for four weeks around the British Isles. Other travels included visiting Christmas markets in Europe. A trip down to Cuba was a memorable one for them. One of their most adventurous and more rugged trips was to Africa, where they went to Kenya and Tanzania on safaris. Dan considered himself a very lucky person to have visited all of these places. Florence’s family said they had never heard their mother laugh as much as when she was with Dan.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Tillie Wagers; his best friend, Dan Nilles; as well as his many family dogs. Dan is survived by his three children, John Wagers, Maureen Wagers (Nate Harnish), and Mary Josephine Wagers; and two beautiful granddaughters, Tori and Gigi. Dan is also survived by his niece, Alison Finlayson (Mark) of Scotland; and cousins in Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming. 

Dan will be greatly missed by his family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM on February 6, 2026, at the Cathedral of Saint. Paul. A celebration of life will take place in the spring. Condolences may be left at www.muellerbies.com, or mailed to Mueller-Bies Funeral Home, 2130 N. Dale St., Roseville, MN 55113.