Walter Lee Wagener

Walter Lee Wagener of Madison, Wisconsin was born on July 7, 1936, and died of a cardio-respiratory event on July 17, 2025, at University of Wisconsin Hospital, Madison. He was 89 years old.

Walt was the kind of person who made everyone's life better. His smile was as wide as a mile. His faith and serene nature were a salve in troubling times. Not just his Christian faith; he believed that all of life is sacred--and whatever spiritual or religious convictions one embraces, all beings are welcome. He was humble, modest and as warm hearted as anyone could be. His wife, Judy, remembers his efforts to never touch a fly: always find a way to let it be, without harm.

Walt was born to Lee Wagener and Kathryn Grace Wagener in Isabel, SD. When he was five the family moved to Milwaukee, WI. Walt loved the apartment where he and younger sister Kay grew up, across from Washington Park. There was a bounty of outdoor opportunities in this recreational mecca. He loved sports and played football at Washington HS & UW Milwaukee, where he majored in History. He sang in choirs, including the Milwaukee Urban League, and became a lifelong lover of astronomy and classical music. He was an avid Milwaukee Brewers fan. He enjoyed being on the water: he and Judy had a daysailer for years.

Walt married Mary Gosselink Rolston at the end of his college years. He completed a seminary degree at Garrett Evangelical, in Evanston, IL. They had 2 children: John and Ann. After Walt and Mary divorced, Walt found love with Judy Rabak, marrying in 1984. They were kindred spirits and had 41 wonderful years together.

Walt wore four hats in his life as a United Methodist pastor: campus minister at UW-Whitewater; director of admissions at Garrett; full-time parish minister in Brooklyn, Oshkosh, Cudahy, and Madison, WI.; and, at the end of his career, hospital chaplain at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, NE, where Judy had taken a faculty position. In each case, his love of history, ability to tell a story about the context of scriptures, and gentle way of caring for and listening to others amplified his leadership. Methodism ran in his blood: His maternal grandfather and great grandfather were itinerant Methodist clergy in South Dakota. Walt retired in 1997 when Judy took a faculty post at Northern Illinois University. This afforded them an opportunity to spend more time with daughter Ann, who lived in Chicago.

When Judy retired in 2007, they spent nine years in Kasson, MN to be near son John, wife Deidre and their sons, Ross and Lars. Walt and Judy loved time w family and attending the boys' many school events. Walt & Judy moved back to Madison and have enjoyed the Capitol, UW, lakes, cultural and social fellowship with friends, old and new.

Walt is survived by his wife, Judy Wagener; son John Wagener (Deidre); daughter Ann Wagener; grandsons Ross and Lars Wagener; sister Kay Mir; nieces and nephews, and many cousins. Above all, Walt was so proud of his family and loved them very much. He was the love of Judy's life and will be sorely missed by all. 

Donations can be made in his honor to the Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church, or any charity of your choice. 

A visitation will be held at Bethany United Methodist Church, 3910 Mineral Point Rd, Madison, WI. 53705, on September 13, 2025, at 2:30pm, followed by a memorial service at 3pm.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road, Madison

(608) 238-3434