Lyle W. Wagers

Lyle W. Wagers, 85, of Shickley, NE, passed away on October 3, 2013, at the Nebraska Heart Hospital, Lincoln, NE.

Lyle was born December 16, 1927 in Geneva, NE to Delno Winter and Blanche (Heald) Wagers. He attended Summit school and later transferred to Shickley Public School in his elementary years. After graduating from Shickley Public School in 1945, Lyle enlisted in the United States Army. In the spring of 1946 he was sent to Japan, where he was head of the Motor Pool of the 24 ^th Division, 21 ^st Regiment.

In 1948, Lyle returned home and began farming south of Shickley. On June 17, 1951, he met and married his wife, Iris White. They became parents of 3 daughters and 1 son and as most parents do, Lyle was involved in school. He served on the School Board, for seven years he coached girls softball, plus he announced at Shickley home football games. His community involvement included serving on the Town Board and in his church where he was a lay leader, trustee, chairman of the church parish council, taught Sunday school and was superintendent of Sunday school. He was also a member of the Shickley American Legion, Davenport VFW, and the Shickley Lions Club.

Even though Lyle loved farming, one of his greatest ambitions was to be an auctioneer. As a child, Lyle would accompany his father to the Livestock Market in Davenport. When Lyle returned home to do his chores he would practice auctioneering by selling pigs. It was good practice as Lyle was teaching himself the art of auctioneering.

He didn’t put his love of auctioneering into practice until he answered an advertisement in the Hastings paper. A packing plant in Hastings hired Lyle as a cattle buyer. He later worked for the Wilson Company out of Omaha as their cattle buyer and auctioneered on the weekends.

Lyle and Iris enjoyed many hobbies including frequenting flea markets, auctions, square dancing and traveling.

He had a lot of passion for the Shickley Longhorns and the school itself as he continued to volunteer at the school. He spent many hours at school watching over the children as playground supervisor; encouraging them by helping out at District Music Contests, attending speech contests and cheering them on at sporting events. Plus his auctioneering expertise was put to use at the high school labor auctions.

For Lyle, the community of Shickley, the school and his church have shaped his life. Because of that, he did all that he could to keep his church, the community and Shickley Public school the best that they could be.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Iris; daughters and husband, Patricia Wagers of Lincoln, Peggy and Dale Arp of Lincoln, and Lyla Wagers of Lincoln; a brother, John Keith Wagers of Oakland, CA; sisters and husband, Aileen and Orlan Hargens of Lincoln and Mildred Schmutte of Sacramento, CA; grandson and his wife, Richard Lyle Fushia and Lisa of Longmont, CO; great grandchildren, Christopher Pratt and Matthew and Nathaniel Fushia; and many nieces and nephews.

Lyle was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Zella Hawley and Pauline Trembly; and a son, David Wayne Wagers.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday October 9, 2013 at 1:30 pm at the Shickley Public School Gymnasium in Shickley, NE, with Pastors Scharleen Cross and Sean Nolt officiating. The family wishes that everyone would please wear green for the services.

Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date. Condolences may be sent to Price Funeral Home, or left at priceurbauerahrendts.com. Price Funeral Home of Hebron, Nebraska was in charge of the arrangements.