Gayle Wagner, 65 year-old longtime Worland resident passed away October 1, 2016, surrounded by her family at the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper due to complications with her heart and diabetes.
Gayle was born on April 16, 1951 in Lovell, Wyoming to Snell and Delsa (Boyce) Robertson. She graduated from Lovell High School in 1969. On February 20, 1971, she married her best friend and sweetheart, Jurn Wagner. The couple moved to Worland where Jurn was working for Western Motors. To this union were born 4 children, Sheila, Jurn Jr., Robyn, and Craig. Jurn and Gayle were later sealed for time and all eternity in the LDS Manti Temple on May 31, 1977.
Gayle started work as a waitress first at Ram's Horn and then for the next 8 years at Hotel Washakie. In 1986 she went to work for Taco Johns and in 1994 she and Jurn purchased the franchise. In 2005 Jurn and Gayle took on the task of rebuilding Taco Johns in the same location. The new building was open for business in June 26, 2006, on her Mother and son, Jurn, Jr.'s birthday.
She had a love for crafts, especially crochet, plastic canvas, cross stitch and ceramics. With this love, she also enjoyed spending time in any and every craft store she came near. Gayle also enjoyed fishing in the Big Horn Mountains. When the elevation became an issue for her health, she would go to the fishing pond by the airport to get her fix. She was a very good mother whose goal was to create memories. She used to say that photos and papers can get lost or destroyed, but memories are always in your heart. Spending time with her children and grandchildren was her favorite pastime. As each of her children married, she gained more children in her fold, not in-laws, children!
Gayle never knew a stranger. She loved to visit and always had a listening ear. Her heart was big as she generously gave to those in need. She was headstrong, too. When she made up her mind to do something, nothing was going to get in her way.
She was preceded in death by her parents, infant brother, sister, Frankalene Malliot, brother-in-law, Joe Malliot, sister-in-law, Shirley Robertson and grandson, Christopher Christenson.
Gayle is survived by her loving husband of 46 years, Jurn Wagner, Sr .; children Sheila Wagner -Christenson, Jurn, Jr (Amy) Wagner, Robyn (Howard) Wildman, and Craig Wagner (Shilo Paxton); grandchildren: Cody (Harmony) Christenson; Cassie Christenson; Trivian, Rylee, ShaeLynn, Trey Wagner; Kameron, Morgan and Abby Wagner; Michael, Brett and Josh Wildman; one brother, Bob Robertson of Saginaw, Michigan; numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 am Wednesday, October 5, 2016 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center with Bishop Kelly Erickson officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 7 to 8 pm Tuesday evening at the Bryant Funeral Home Chapel and one hour prior to services at the Church. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Foundation in care of Bryant Funeral Home PO Box 524, Worland, WY 82401. Online condolences may be made at http://www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.