Ralph E. Wagner, obituary portrait — Ludvigsen Mortuary

In Loving Memory

Ralph E.Wagner

Date of Birth July 30, 1927
Passed Away On January 4, 2026
At Age 98 years
Resident of Scribner, NE
Coast Guard emblem — honoring military service
United States Veteran
United States Coast Guard
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Ralph E. Wagner, age 98, of Scribner
Died Sunday January 4, 2026 at Nye Legacy in Fremont.

Ralph Eugene Wagner was born on July 30, 1927 in rural Scribner to Harold and Dora (Bang) Wagner. He grew up in Scribner and graduated from Scribner High School in 1944 at the age of 16. He attended Midland Lutheran College in Fremont before entering the U.S Coast Guard on May 25, 1945 and was honorably discharged on May 31, 1946. He returned to Scribner and began working at the US Post Office at the age of 19. He retired from the Post Office after 38 years of service in 1984. He married Janine Ellerman on May 29, 1949 at United Lutheran Church in Scribner and they were happily married for 74 years.

Ralph was a member of United Lutheran Church in Scribner since his marriage. He worked at the Post Office as a Rural Route Carrier and also worked part-time as a bookkeeper/manager at Ebel Alfalfa in Scribner. He kept the time clock for the high school football games for many years and after retirement he also drove the bus for Scribner Public School and enjoyed taking the students to many sports and other events. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing in leagues at Indian Trails Country Club and Elkhorn Valley Golf Course and golfing with his wife Janine. They traveled every winter to San Diego, CA and loved the many friends they made there and the great weather for golfing.

Ralph believed in community service and was committed to the city of Scribner and the surrounding area. He was on the city planning board and many committees. He was a member of the Scribner American Legion Post 121 for 80 years, the Scribner Volunteer Fire Department and the Rescue Squad for 50 years.
He was honored by Scribner/Snyder Community Schools for 50 years of service and the St. Francis Memorial Hospital Foundation in West Point for 20 years of service. He received the Nebraska World War II Recognition Medal from Governor Jim Pillen on May 11, 2025. He was recognized on September 13, 2025 at Memorial Stadium for attending 393 home football games and was a 60 year season ticket-holder.

Survived by son, Douglas (Chris) Wagner of Columbus, Grandchildren - Lori (Andy) Ziemba, Jeff Wagner,
Steve (Lindsy) Wagner, son Bruce Wagner of Kansas City MO, Grandchildren Allison (Jamie) Raven and David Wagner and Daughter, Jacque (Dave) Carlson of Red Oak, IA, Grandchildren Mark (Jackie) Carlson, Pam (Luke) Riedmann, Matt (Kerrin) Carlson, Paige (Juan) Greer, 18 great grandchildren, 7 step great grandchildren, 12 step great, great grandchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews

Ralph was preceded in death by his wife, Janine Wagner, parents Harold and Dora (Bang) Wagner, son Daryl Wagner, brother and sister-in-law Don (Pat) Wagner, daughter-in-law Betty Wagner, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Don (Joan) Berg, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Don (Donna Rae) Kruger, brothers-in-law Vern and Warren Ellerman

Memorials are suggested to the Scribner Fire and Rescue or American Legion Post 121

Visitation will be Sunday, January 11, 2026 at the Scribner Funeral Chapel with family present from 2pm to 4pm. The funeral will be 11am, Monday, January 12, 2026 at United Lutheran Church in Scribner. Burial will follow in the Scribner Cemetery with Military and Fireman Honors. Lunch will be at the Mohr auditorium.

Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
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Services

Visitation

Ludvigsen’s Scribner Funeral Chapel

509 Main St.

Scribner, NE, 68057

January 11, 2026

With Family 2pm to 4pm

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Funeral Service

Funeral Service

United Lutheran Church

610 Pearl

Scribner, NE, 68057

January 12, 2026

11:00 AM

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Graveside Service

Scribner Cemetery

Scribner, NE, 68057

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Condolences (11)

S
Suzanne Olson Wayne, NE January 13, 2026
"May the sadness that comes from mourning a death be replaced with joy and peace as you celebrate the life. We give thanks for his long life. With sympathy."
M
Markeeta Hoge Knoernschild Plattsmouth, NE January 12, 2026
"So very sorry for the loss of your Dad. He was a very special person and never did he forget who I was whenever I was back in Scribner. Lived a great life."
R
Ragnar and Gloria Eeg North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada January 10, 2026
"It is with great sadness to hear of the passing of Ralph. We have such awesome memories of
playing golf with Ralph and Jeannine in Singing Hills only to be outdone by the post golf
happy hours.
We had the pleasure of visiting the two of them at their home as we returned from our cross country trip and got the royal tour of Scribner.
With our friends we enjoyed having them visit and touring Victoria. We will miss them both
and are thinking of their family.
Ragnar and Gloria Eeg"
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