Marcella A. Wagner

Primghar, Iowa

Marcella A. Wagner, 95, of Primghar passed away on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Prairie View Home in Sanborn. Her funeral mass will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday, February 5, 2026, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Primghar with Father Kevin Richter and Father Tim Hogan, concelebrating.

Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Primghar.

Visitation with family present will be from 5 to 7 P.M. on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Primghar. A prayer service will be held at 7 P.M.

Arrangements are under the care of the Eldridge Family Funeral Home in Primghar.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

MARCELLA A. WAGNER

BORN

November 4, 1930

Family Farm Near May City, Iowa

PASSED AWAY

January 31, 2026

Sanborn, Iowa

FUNERAL MASS

10:30 A.M. Thursday, February 5, 2026

St. Anthony’s Catholic Church; Primghar, Iowa

CONCELEBRATING

Father Kevin Richter & Father Tim Hogan

MUSIC

Opening: “I Am The Bread Of Life” #355

Communion: “Prayer Of St. Francis” #473

“Song Of Farewell” #812

Closing: “On Eagle’s Wings” #441

Organist: Margaret Anderson

Cantor: Vonnie Anderson

CASKET BEARERS

Bill Dorwart 

Dan Dorwart 

Matt Dorwart

Patrick Sikora 

Andrew Sikora 

Tony Sikora

Philip Schulte 

Michael Schulte 

Alex Schulte

Michael Wagner 

Scott Wagner 

Ben Wagner

Garrett Wagner 

Grant Wagner 

Kyle Wagner

FINAL RESTING PLACE

Calvary Cemetery

Primghar, Iowa

After today’s graveside service, relatives, and friends are invited

to join the family at the Primghar Community Building.

Arrangements are under the care of the

Eldridge Family Funeral Home; Primghar, Iowa.

Marcella Avis (Recher) Wagner Marcella Avis (Recher) Wagner was born on November 4, 1930 to John and Norma Recher on the family farm north of May City, Iowa. Her twin sister, Ardella, entered the world minutes later. Marcella was educated at Allison Township #9 country school and graduated from Hartley High School in 1949. “The Twins” got a lot of attention, especially as cheerleaders. Marcella and Ardella attended Iowa State Teachers College. After graduating, she taught elementary classes in Mallard and Paullina. On Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1952, Marcella and Bill were married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sutherland, Iowa. Bill and Marcella moved onto the farm near Gaza, Iowa where they grew their family and farm. She gardened, sewed, baked—pies and rolls were family favorites—and canned 100s of jars of jam (for Bill) and vegetables and fruits from her garden.

Marcella’s steadiness and presence were important to her family and church. She was a member of St. Anthony’s guild, taught Religious Education classes and was a lector. Marcella loved celebrating family baptisms, first communions, graduations, weddings, birthday parties, sporting events and concerts. Marcella and Bill enjoyed all the people they met and the cities they visited for REC conventions. One of her favorite road trips was driving to Idaho for a great niece’s wedding when they were 80.

Marcella’s friendships were important to her. She had a “coffee group” from St. Anthony’s that met once a week for over 65 years. She played pinochle, bridge, and 500 with many different ladies from young married years until this December. She belonged to Primghar Federated Women’s Club and Peace Links where her input was valued. When they moved into Primghar in 1997, she was welcomed into a birthday group of friends. Marcella golfed in morning league.

The daily paper was a part of Marcella’s morning ritual, especially the crossword puzzles and jumbles, reading her favorite comics, and keeping up with the news. She laughed at Bill’s jokes even though she had heard some of them many times. She was an avid reader and belonged to the Primghar Library Book Club.

Grateful for having shared her life, Marcella is survived by her husband Bill, children: Dianne (Dr. Clint) Dorwart, Sidney, NE, Teresa (Joe) Sikora, Primghar, IA, Jane (Jim) Schulte, Omaha, NE, Jim (Mimi) Wagner, Primghar, IA, Tom (Holly) Wagner Primghar, IA, and Keith (Gerri Ann) Wagner; Manning, IA. grandchildren: Dr. Bill (Michelle) Dorwart, Dan Dorwart, Dr. Michelle (Chris Melnyk) Dorwart, Dr. Matt(Brooke) Dorwart, Patrick (Mara)Sikora, Andrew (Janelle)Sikora, Tony(Ashley) Sikora, Dr. Phil (Julissa) Schulte, Michael(Kate) Schulte, Alex Schulte, Ann Schulte, Kate (Clayton)Anderson, Michael ( Anna) Wagner, Scott (Michelle) Wagner, Ben (Megan) Wagner, Libby (Chad) Allesch, Claire Wagner, Garrett Wagner, Erin Wagner, Grant Wagner, and Kyle (Kia) Wagner, 32 great grandchildren, soon to be 35, her sisters: Ardella Butler, Clarinda, IA, and Clarice Harms, Milford, & 22 nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, sister Lila Koostra , Brothers-in-law Lawrence Harms, Glen Oostenbrug, Paul Koostra, & Ed Butler and nephew, Tim Oostenbrug and niece Joan Oostenbrug, Wagner brothers-in-Law and sisters-in-law, many relatives and friends.