Milton D. Wagness

Milt Wagness, age 94, resident of Lakota, ND, died Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at his home in Lakota.

Milton Duane Wagness was born October 28, 1920 in Lakota to Manser and Myrtle (Anderson) Wagness. He graduated from Lakota High School in 1939 and attended the University of North Dakota. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Milt enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Following the war he joined his father in their bulk oil business in Lakota. In 1955 Milt married Gerry Watson. He was a lifelong member of Lakota Lutheran Church and especially enjoyed singing in the choir. He was a 70 year member of the Lakota American Legion.

Milt is survived by his wife, Gerry; two children, Maren (Dalton) Larson of Woodbury, MN and Paul (Ingunn Vatnestrom) of Billings, MT; two grandchildren, Rachel (Neil) Ratcliff of Indianapolis, IN and Ryan (Emily) Larson of Arlington, VA. We will miss his whistling.

He is preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Marion (Art) Van Ryzin, Veronne (Leonard) Crawford, and Amy (John) Preston; and an infant brother.

The Funeral Service for Milt will be held at the Lakota Lutheran Church on Monday, June 1, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be the Reverend Tedd Rieke. The organist will be Karen Fowler. Interment with military honors will be in the Lakota Cemetery. The casketbearers will be Rodney Stevens, Mike Stevens, Paul Miller, Bradon Miller, Jim Burtness, Wally Johnson, Raymond Schuh, and Joe Belford. Military honors will be accorded by the Rundell-Holicky American Legion Post #21 of Lakota and the ND Military Funeral Honors Team. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota on Sunday, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and will continue at the church on Monday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to Lakota Lutheran Church, Nelson County Hospice, Lakota City Library, or the charity of your choice.