Roberta Wagner

     Emily “Roberta” Wagner, 93, Nevada, MO passed away at her rural Nevada home on Friday, September 12, 2025.   Roberta was born in Walker, Missouri, on April 1, 1932, to Joseph and Anna Alene (Whitley) Zaring.  She married John “Jack” Wagner on November 7, 1974 in Anchorage, Alaska and he preceded her in death  on June 14, 2007. 

    Roberta was raised in Vernon County and attended Nevada High School.   She lived in Anchorage, AK from 1967-1978.   She worked at the Nevada Habilitation Center from 1987 until her retirement in 1997.  She also worked at the 54 Café for a number of years.   She was a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Nevada.  Roberta loved to travel.  She loved the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing and even once shot a bear.  Roberta loved quilting and passed that love and passion on to her grandchildren.   Her selflessness, fierce strength and independence, her unabashed honesty, and faithfulness to God were qualities that all her family and friends cherished.   She will be missed by her family, countless friends and neighbors.

    Roberta is survived by her children, Jim Hardin (Ronda), Nevada, MO, Jerry Hardin (Amanda), Arizona City, AZ,  Bill Hardin (Marci), Nevada, MO, John Hardin, Aurora, MO, Jana Hardin, Anchorage, AK; daughter-in-law, Barb Hardin, state of AZ; sister-in-law, Judy Zaring, Houston, TX; 16 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.

    In addition to her husband, Jack, Roberta was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Ronnie Zaring;  Joe Harden and a grandson, Jeremy John Hardin.

     Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 18, 2025 in Mt. Vernon Cemetery,  Walker, MO with Johannes Brann officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17 at Ferry Funeral Home.   In lieu of flowers, memorials to Trinity Lutheran Church or  the Parkinson’s Foundation are suggested and can be made in care of Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

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