Nancy Ann Wagner, 87, of Fort Madison, Iowa, passed away Friday, August 21, 2026, at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington, leaving behind a lifetime of memories and a family who will carry her with them always.

Nancy was born August 3, 1939, in Farmington, Iowa, the daughter of Arthur Cedric and Daisy Dot (Wood) Morrett. She spent most of her life in Fort Madison and graduated from Fort Madison High School in 1957. As a young woman, Nancy attended beauty school and worked cutting hair for several years.

On June 5, 1965, she married Lloyd “Billy” Wagner in Fort Madison. Together, they built a life and family in the community Nancy called home. Billy preceded her in death.

Nancy was a hardworking and creative woman. She devoted many years to being a homemaker and also worked at Sheaffer Pen for many years. Her creativity found another home in the Wagner Ceramic Shop, which she ran for many years. Through her ceramics, she was able to turn something she enjoyed into something she could share with others.

Nancy had a special appreciation for the simple, beautiful things in life. She loved spending time outdoors and tending to her flowers, especially her yellow roses. She enjoyed watching the birds that visited her yard, with hummingbirds and cardinals holding a special place in her heart.

She also loved Elvis Presley and his music. For those who knew and loved Nancy, an Elvis song, a blooming yellow rose, the quick flutter of a hummingbird, or the brilliant red of a cardinal may forever bring her to mind.

Above all, Nancy’s greatest legacy is her family.

She is survived by her daughter, Dottie Shirkey of Fort Madison; four grandchildren, Cecilia (Skyler) Browning, Dyre (Andrew Pillard) Vincent, William Wagner, and Jayson Whitehall; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces.

To those who loved her, however, Nancy cannot be summed up simply by the dates and events of her 87 years. She was a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and a familiar presence woven into the lives of generations of her family. Her life lives on in their stories, their memories, and in all the little things that will unexpectedly remind them of her for years to come.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Daisy; her husband, Billy; her infant son, Bradley; three sisters, Lois Pohlpeter, Elizabeth Mayer, and Janet Blint; and one nephew.

There will be moments when those who loved Nancy see a cardinal outside the window, notice a hummingbird hovering among the flowers, smell a yellow rose in bloom, or hear the unmistakable voice of Elvis Presley—and for just a moment, she will feel close again.

Those are fitting reminders of a life that was never defined simply by dates on a page, but by family, home, hard work, creativity, music, flowers, and the memories she leaves behind.

Arrangements are pending for burial at Soldier’s Circle, Oakland Cemetery in Fort Madison, Iowa. Barr Memorial Chapel is honored to serve the family of Nancy Wagner.