HOISINGTON — Suzanne Caroline ‘Sue’ Wagner, 88, died Oct. 8, 2026, at Wheatland Nursing Center, Russell, Kan. She was born May 15, 1938, in Indianapolis, Ind., the daughter of Charles and Marguerite (Miller) Meek.
On May 4, 1957, she married Ronald Lance Smith in Miami, Okla. Together they had four sons, Robert, James, Scott, and Richard. Ronald died on Aug. 19, 1965. She then married Bernard N. Wagner on July 3, 1967, with this marriage she gained two very special people in her life, Faith and Anthony and they were blessed with two more sons, Jeffrey and Joshua.
Sue was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Hoisington where she was a Stephen’s minister and counselor. She was a supporter of her community where she helped form the Hoisington Track Club, was a Den Mother, and the last member of the former Women’s Civic Club. She was also a co-founder of the Hoisington Food Bank along with Gwen Christy and Pat Patton. Sue loved cheering on her KU Basketball, KC Chiefs, and the Hoisington Cardinals. Other favorite pastimes include going to the casinos, watching QVC, and her monthly Resisters and Retirees Luncheons.
She is survived by her children, Robert ‘Howard’ Smith of Derby, James Smith (Bridget) of Eudora, Scott Smith (Cathy) of Great Bend, Richard Michael Smith (Angela) of Brush, Colo., Jeffrey E. Wagner (KeiLee) of Enid, Okla., and Joshua J. Wagner of Denver, Colo., Faith Marie Jacobs of Wichita, and Anthony Wagner of Great Bend; three daughters-of-the-heart, Jeanette Trinka (Ted), Deanna Ochs (Owen), and Debbie Davis (Mike) all of Hoisington; 19 grandchildren; 30+ great-grandchildren; and numerous great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; and four grandchildren, Dustin Michael Smith, Zachary Smith, Grace Wagner and Chad Robertson; and a sister-of-the-heart, Joyce Pace.
Memorial Service will be 11 a.m., Friday Oct. 30, 2026, at First United Methodist Church, Hoisington, Kan., with Pastor Dinah Mombo-Manyara and Ron Bailey presiding. Sue’s request was for casual wear, especially KU, Chiefs, Taproom, or Hoisington Cardinals t-shirts. Friends may sign the book at the funeral home now until service, there will be no viewing as cremation has taken place. Memorials may be made to Hoisington Food Bank, Breast Friends, Clara Barton Hospital Foundation or Wheatland Nursing Center in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, P.O. Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544. Notices may be viewed and condolences sent at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home
P.O. Box 146
Hoisington, KS 67544
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Oct. 13, 2026
