Anna Margaret Wagner

Belleair, FL

Formerly of Middletown, NY

Anna Margaret Wagner (Arnoska Richterova) passed away peacefully on March 22, 2010 at Hospice Woodside in Pinellas Park, FL. She was 86.

The daughter of Ella Richter and Karl Hassler, she was born December 15, 1923 in Loket, Czechoslovakia. Anna had her education in Loket, where she learned the Czechoslovakian language and German as well. At that time, Anna and her young friends grew up under the "Munich Agreement of 1938". They were made to leave their families by the Nazi government and were sent to Austria to work in the camps. Anna had to learn typing for the Communist Newsletters. She was also made to work at an airplane factory, on farms and a hotel where she learned to be a cook.

When World War II was over, the American soldiers came into her hometown. It was then that she met U.S Army Staff Sgt. Ernest J. Wagner, Sr. They fell in love and she became his war bride in Hirsheid, Germany. She was the first Czechoslavakian woman in her town to marry an American soldier. They came to America in 1946. Anna never forgot her European family, they settled in Germany. A sad time for them, the Berlin Wall divided the family.

For the next 43 years, Anna and her husband helped in any way they could; they called her the "Matriarch" and her husband the "Bergermeister". In 1989, they all rejoiced when the Wall came down; they were free.

Anna worked in Middletown at Swanks Clothiers and Avon Products, where she was known as "Ann". She retired in 1981 and moved to Belleair, FL. She loved knitting, needlepoint and boating with her family in Lake George, the Hudson River, Gulf of Mexico and, of course her favorite place, Clearwater Beach. Anna's best attribute was the love of family, especially being a proud Oma.

Anna and her husband loved the Sunshine State, they enjoyed retirement together for thirty years. Her husband Ernie passed away on December 20, 2009, just three months ago. Ernie always called Anna "his souvenir from the War". They were together 65 years and will be sadly missed by their family, friends and their loyal companions, P.P. and Bella.

Anna is survived by her daughter, Margaret A. Curabba of Belleair, FL; two sons, Ernest J. Wagner, Jr. and his wife, Emmy of Point Pleasant, NJ and Ronald H. Wagner and his wife, Lisa of Chester; grandsons, Todd Curabba and his wife, Rhonda of Dade City, FL, Jason Curabba and his wife, Dawn of Shohola, PA, Steven Wagner of Point Pleasant, NJ and Michael Wagner of Chester; granddaughter, Nicole Wagner of Chester; great-grandchildren: Regan, Cody and Kyle Curabba, Jack, Quinn and Regan Curabba, and one sister, Relli Gsgnet and her husband, George of Deerfield, FL.

In addition to her beloved husband, Ernest J. Wagner, Sr., she was predeceased by her sisters, Ann Eckl, Hedwig Schellenberg and brothers, Paul and Joseph Richter, all of Germany.

A private graveside service will be held in the family plot in St. Joseph's Cemetery for Anna and Ernest at the convenience of their family.

Arrangements are under the direction of Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc.; 845-343-6309 or www.applebee-mcphillips.com.