Benno F. Wagner, age 98, formerly of rural St. Cloud "St. Joe", passed away Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at the St. Francis Home in Fond du Lac where he resided since July 2021.

He was born August 29, 1924, in the Town of Marshfield near St. Joe to Peter & Gertrude (Pickart) Wagner. Benno attended St. Joseph Catholic Grade School and graduated from New Holstein High School in 1943.

On September 4, 1946, he married Bernice Braun at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Joe. Bernice preceded him in death on July 7, 1994. On October 13, 1995, he married Florence (Schraufnagel) Ruplinger.

Benno and Bernice farmed in the Town of Marshfield near St. Joe and he also worked at Tecumseh Engine Products for many years.

Benno faithfully donated blood for many years. He played baseball for the East Shore League for many years. He was an avid Wisconsin sports team follower. He was the president for several years for the "We Love to Dance" club.

Survivors include his wife, Florence; his children, Joe "Smoky" Wagner, Dan "Frisco" (Betty) Wagner, Bette (Randy) Backhaus, Gary (Jan) Wagner, Joan Wagner, Randy "Bronson" Wagner; daughters-in-law, Kathy Wagner and Mary Carol Wagner; his stepchildren, Donna (Bob) Boelk, Gail (Loren) Bonlender, Marion (Eric) Schuenemann, Monica Wise, Stanley (Lisa) Ruplinger, and Stuart (Linda) Ruplinger. Benno is further survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, step grandchildren, step great-grandchildren, and a step great-great-grandchild; as well as his brother-in-law, Ken (Mary) Braun; his sister-in-law, Janice Braun; many nieces; nephews; other relatives; and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Peter & Gertrude Wagner; his first wife, Bernice; three sons, Paul, Larry, and Tom Wagner; two brothers, Ray & Alfred Wagner; three sisters, Martha Halter, Alma Kraus, and Christina Schmitz; brothers-in-law & sisters-in-law.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Our Lady of the Holyland Parish-Holy Cross Church, 308 S. County Road W, Mount Calvary, WI 53057. Rev. Paul Koenig will officiate.

Visitation: Family and friends may visit with Benno's family at the church in Mount Calvary on Saturday, March 11th from 9:00 AM until 11:30 AM.

Benno's family extends their sincere appreciation to the staff at St. Francis Home for their wonderful care given to him the past 1 ½ years and to SSM Health Hospice caregivers.

For further details, please contact the Sippel Funeral Home in St. Cloud or visit www.sippelfuneralhome.net.