Ivan Lee Wagner was born on Dec. 8, 1935, to William and Alma (Preuss) Wagner on the family farm near Stuttgart, Kansas. He was baptized into the Christian faith at home on Dec. 23, 1935, and was later confirmed at Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stuttgart on June 19, 1949. He was a current member of Zion Lutheran Church in Phillipsburg. He passed away on Oct. 12, 2025, at the age of 89.

Ivan graduated from Phillipsburg High School in May 1953 and worked construction jobs before entering the Army in Dec. 1954. He served in the 1st Infantry Division under the Seventh Army in Germany until he was honorably discharged in Nov. 1956.

A hard worker all his life, he attended Kansas State University and held various jobs, including managing a grain elevator, working for Bear Brand Roofing and running an egg route for Phillipsburg Produce. He also interacted with many community members and local companies through his carpet laying and cleaning business. He spent the majority of his career with Farmland Industries Refinery, the first farmer-owned cooperative oil refinery in the nation, and he retired from there after 35 years.

Ivan married his sweetheart Phyllis Sanderson on May 24, 1959, in Norton. They raised three sons — Stan, Kevin and Pat — and enjoyed many years of attending school functions, taking family vacations and having fun together at home. He also served on the local school board and the church council. Spending time with his family was the most important thing to Ivan. A favorite family pastime was going boating at the lake, where Ivan learned how to water ski (and later, how to swim). He loved his family fiercely, and he was very proud of all of them.

Some of his favorite activities included traveling the country with Phyllis, enjoying desserts and encouraging everyone to eat more of them, coordinating family photos in all possible combinations, tinkering and working on the farm, playing cards, giving the grandkids rides on the tractor, maintaining a beautiful lawn and flower garden, and attending his kids' and grandkids' activities.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Alma (Preuss) Wagner; his sister and brother-in-law, Arlene and Jim Mulder; his sister, Norma Schick; and his brother and sister-in-law, Milton and Arlene Wagner.

Ivan is survived by his wife, Phyllis; his three sons and daughters-in-law, Stan and Jean Ann, Kevin and Jeanette, and Pat and Janine; his seven grandchildren and four bonus grandchildren, Eric and Katie Wagner, Kristin and Jeff Johnson, Grant Wagner and Jessica Trujillo Morales, Nicholas Wagner, Malorie and Cameron Sougéy, Camrie Wagner and Jayme Wagner; his three great-grandchildren, Kyla and Kori Wagner and Carson Johnson; and his brother-in-law Max Schick; in addition to many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Ivan lived a life full of love. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and he was a devout follower of Jesus. His legacy is one of kindness, compassion, patience, humor and grace, and he was a role model for all. He will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be this Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in the Zion Lutheran Church, Phillipsburg, with Pastors Lee Bennight and Joel Hiesterman officiating. The Services will be streamed live on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg, with military honors conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard.

Mr. Wagner will lie in state from noon until 9 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church or Hospice Services, Inc.