Joan Marie Wagner

Joan Marie (Jonasen) Wagner aka 'Mrs. Wagner'

The final school bell rang for Joan Marie (Jonasen) Wagner on September 13, 2026, at the age of 83. After a long illness that she fought bravely, she was welcomed into her eternal classroom by Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. What a lesson plan!

Joan was born on January 31, 1943, in Williston, North Dakota, at the hospital nearest her family's farm in Dagmar. The third of four children. Her parents were Danish immigrants who met in northeastern Montana during the Great Depression, and years later they decided to move their family farther west from Damar to St. Ignatius.

Joan attended elementary school at Wilson Country School in Sheridan County and St. Ignatius Grade School, graduating from St. Ignatius High School in 1961. She received her degree in Elementary Education from the University of Montana-Western at Dillon in 1965 when she was Homecoming Queen/ Miss Western. She met her future husband that same year while she was student teaching in Hamilton.

Joan married John William Wagner of Missoula on July 9, 1966, at St. Anthony Church. Her husband worked 40 years for the family business, Wagner's Home Furnishing. They were blessed with two sons, Brad and Mike, who both became '91 UM graduates.

Joan dedicated 29 years to the teaching profession in the Missoula County Public Schools. Her second year of teaching at Franklin School was interrupted in January 1967 when John was drafted into the Army. After honoring her school-year contract, she joined him that summer at Fort Ord, California, where she gave birth to their first son. They returned home Christmas Eve in 1968, shortly after John was released from active duty. Joan believed parenting was more important than her teaching career, so she waited until their second son reached school age. She returned to Franklin School as a classroom teacher from 1975 to 1982 and then transferred to Lewis & Clark School until her retirement in 2002.

Joan showed her respect for children through an orderly classroom, punctuality, and, most important, she had a gift for balancing professional dedication with genuine playfulness and support, making every child feel safe to be themselves. The Missoula Education Foundation named her Elementary School Educator of the Year in 1990, and she later received the Gold Star Teacher award after her 1994-95 students nominated her. Her classroom showcased both her students' creativity and her own through colorful, inspiring characters and projects that brought lessons to life and made learning enjoyable. Above all, she treated everyone fairly and never gave up on reaching each child. She loved seeing children learn, and they loved her in return. Former students and colleagues still speak of her influence, and some were inspired to become teachers themselves. A favorite memory is Joan dancing on her desk on the last day of school.

Joan's life found its deepest meaning in family, friends, and the connections she formed with her students. She shared her retirement by volunteering at St. Anthony Church and Cold Springs School. She enjoyed traveling, especially to visit her sons and their families. She loved the simple things in life - going to rummage sales with friends, lunch or coffee with friends and family, playing board games with family, and caring for the home she cherished. She also delighted in reading, interior decorating, gardening, walking, exercising, movies, the Mission Mountains, and a good sense of humor. Joan had a vivacious personality and deep roots in the Missoula community. She was truly a "summa cum laude" graduate of life.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents and several aunts and uncles from eastern Montana. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, John Wagner; her sons, Brad Wagner (partner Tarni Bell) and Mike Wagner (wife Tammy); her granddaughter, Pallas Wagner; her brothers, Dick Jonasen and Ken Jonasen; her sister, Correne Whipps; and many nieces, nephews, and brothers- and sisters-in-law.

Cremation rites have been afforded and a Funeral Mass will be at St. Anthony Church on October 16, 2026 at 11:00am, followed by a luncheon reception. A private burial of her urn will take place at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials in Joan's name are suggested to St. Anthony Church or the Missoula Food Bank.