July 31, 1915 – July 18, 2021

A Life of Resilience and Dedication

Lela E. Wagner lived a remarkable life that spanned nearly 106 years—a life rich with resilience, love, and an unwavering commitment to growth and family. Born on a farm outside Chicago in Northfield, Illinois, Lela was the youngest of nine children, raised in a hardworking family where her father farmed hay and feed, delivering it by horse-drawn wagons to vendors in the bustling city. From these humble beginnings, Lela’s journey was one of determination and quiet strength.

Early Dreams and Lifelong Learning

Though she graduated from New Trier High School with dreams of college, financial hardships meant she could not immediately pursue higher education. This was a disappointment she carried with her, yet it never dimmed her passion for learning. Encouraged by a dedicated instructor and driven by her own resolve, Lela became a lifelong advocate for education, inspiring her children and grandchildren to value knowledge and never stop growing.

Family and Partnership

Early in her adult life, Lela worked in retail at Marshall Fields in downtown Chicago, a role she enjoyed before marrying Kenneth Wagner. Together, they raised four children initially settling near the farm where Lela grew up. During the challenging years of World War II, Lela’s family was fortunate to travel extensively thanks to Ken’s fire and safety work, experiences that broadened their horizons even amid wartime restrictions.

Building a Legacy

Lela and Ken’s partnership was marked by hard work and foresight. During the Great Depression, they built a rental home with the help of Lela’s brothers, planting the seeds of a belief in real estate as a means of financial security. Later, their moves to Missouri and then Houston, Texas, reflected Ken’s career path, but it was Lela’s vision and tenacity that led them to start a mobile home park business. She tirelessly sought out landowners, negotiated purchases, and secured financing at a time when women faced significant barriers in business. Her perseverance paid off, and she played a vital role in the daily operations of their enterprise.

Pursuit of Education and Service

Never one to be confined by convention, Lela returned to school in her later years, earning both undergraduate and master’s degrees in counseling—graduating magna cum laude. She dedicated herself to helping others as a counselor with Catholic Charities and later as a marriage and family therapist in private practice. Her approach was always hopeful and solution-oriented, believing firmly that with openness and effort, any problem could be resolved if both parties were willing to engage openly. She had a special passion for working with children and employed innovative techniques like psychodrama to guide healing and understanding.

A World Explorer and Advocate

Lela’s curiosity and zest for life extended far beyond her professional work. She was an avid traveler who explored the world extensively, including pioneering visits to Russia and China in the 1970s when such journeys were rare and challenging. Whether hiking through new landscapes or cruising in her later years, she sought to understand diverse cultures and people, embracing the world with open arms.

A champion for women’s rights, Lela attended the National Organization for Women (NOW) conference in Houston in the 1970s and remained a steadfast supporter of women’s voices and diversity throughout her life. Her generosity extended beyond her lifetime through her thoughtful estate planning, which created a family partnership to support future generations and donated the majority of her estate to women’s charities, ensuring her legacy of empowerment and compassion would endure.

A Lasting Legacy

Lela E. Wagner’s life was a testament to perseverance, lifelong learning, and dedication to family and community. Her legacy lives on through her family, her professional contributions, and the family partnership she created to support future generations. She will be remembered for her strength, compassion, and unwavering optimism. Her spirit continues to inspire all who knew her, reminding us that it is never too late to pursue our dreams and make a difference in the world.