Inez Marcella Wagner, 87, of Austin, died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.

Inez was born in Austin on Feb. 4, 1927, to Martin and Mildred (Larson) Van Esch. She attended school and graduated from Faribault High School in 1946. Inez went to work right after high school at Northwest Bell Company. It was there she met her husband, Miles “Shorty” J. Wagner and the two were married on May 8, 1954, in Faribault. She continued working there and running a household until her retirement in 1983.

Inez was a member of Queen of Angels Catholic Church, different women’s groups at Queens, and a community service club called the “Telephone Pioneers.” She loved her family and balanced her work life and home life wonderfully.

Inez is survived by her son, Larry (Marion) Wagner of Creston, Iowa; grandchildren: John (Emily) Wagner of Kansas City, Missouri, Amy (Vince) Fasano of Chicago, Joshua Bertocki (Gwyneth Oswin) of Des Moines, Iowa, Jeremy Bertocki of St. Cloud, Minnesota; and a great-granddaughter, Ella Fasano of Chicago; a sister, Elaine Simmons of Faribault.

Inez is preceded in death by her parents; husband Miles “Shorty”; siblings: Anton Van Esch, Margaret Van Esch, Clarabel Klouse, Norbert Van Esch, Catherine Merten and Martin Van Esch.

A Funeral Mass will be on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, at 10 a.m. at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father Dale Tupper officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Mayer Funeral Home. Burial will follow the service at Calvary Cemetery. Online Condolences-www.mayerfh.com.