Anna M. Wagner of Lapeer, formerly of Oxford, age 102, beloved wife of forty years of the late Ernest Wagner, died peacefully on Wednesday January 29, 2025 at Serene Gardens in Imlay City. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 pm Tuesday February 4, 2025 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church 404 Dayton St. Davison. Fr. Andrew A. Czajkowski, Celebrant. Rite of Committal will follow at St. John Cemetery. Family will receive visitors from 2:00 pm Monday with a parish scripture service at 7:00 pm Monday evening at the funeral home. Anna will lie in state at the church from 12:00 noon Tuesday until time of service. The Funeral Mass will be live streamed through St. John & Blessed Sacrament Facebook page. Those desiring may make contributions in Anna’s memory to: St. John Catholic Church, Disabled American Veteran, Special Olympics, or Cloistered Dominican Nuns
Anna Marie Schultz was born in Detroit on November 22, 1922 to Anthony and Anna (Jennings) Schultz the eighth child warmly welcomed by her loving parents. They moved from Detroit that year to a farm in Tyre, Michigan (near Ubly). The next year, another move was made to a farm south of North Branch, where Anna and her siblings walked several miles to a one-room school, until 1935. At that time, the family moved in North Branch, where her father worked at a grain elevator for thirty years.
After finishing ninth grade at North Branch High School, Anna entered Siena Heights College at age 14. That same year she joined the Dominican Sisters who administered the college. After two years of college she qualified as a substitute teacher and began her lifelong teaching career. At that time she also completed her two years of training for Religious life, and took her first vows, receiving the name Sister Jane Therese of the Infant Jesus. She was assigned to a Catholic School on Chicago’s south side where she spent 11 years joyfully serving her God, her Sisters, her students and their parents. Her next move was to Lansing where she spent 10 years teaching at First Resurrection School, and St. Thomas Aquinas. During that time she gave Religious instruction in neighboring parishes of Williamston, Laingsburg, and Grand Ledge. The next 6 years found her in schools on Detroit’s west side, continuing her joyful service to the children and their parents. During these years, she spent her summers achieving two Master Degrees from the University of Detroit – one in Education and second one in Theology and Religious Education. At this time in her life, her prayers at discernment convinced her that God was calling her to serve the Special Needs students, for whom there were no or few programs at the time. Pope Paul VI released her from the obligations of Religious life enabling her to give full time to her new ministry. He have her his blessing on her work with God’s special ones.
Thus began 30 years of teaching special needs students of all grades in their homes and/or hospitals in Lapeer and Oakland Counties. During this time she achieved a third Master Degree from Wayne State University, which certified her in four areas of Special Education and also reading specialist.
After a few years, God sent her a faithful and willing helper, a disabled veteran of WW II, Ernest Wagner. They married in Sacred Heart Church in Roseville, and God gave them almost 40 years working together for God’s special children and anyone else who needed them. They began a new FOE Aerie 3613 for Lake Orion and Oxford and were the first elected Presidents. The Eagles there are still going strong in their many faithful charities.
Anna achievements and hard work enabled her to serve her God and His people, especially His children, in many ways besides teacher: Elementary School Principal, Middle School Principal, teacher, counselor, Special Olympics volunteer, Director of Religious Education Center, and parent counseling. After retirement from Oakland Schools she spent 12 years as a volunteer in her home for Special Needs children. She founded YES – Youth for Easter Seals in Lapeer County for High School students, As a certified Red Cross First Aid Instructor, she served 6 summers at Camp Stapleton for under privileged girls from Metro Detroit. She also taught first aid in Detroit Schools. She authored three books on teaching positive values to children, and co-authored Phonics for Primary Grades. She was named Teacher of the Year for Oxford District, and was still doing volunteer tutoring at age 93. Anna taught herself to play both piano and organ; she loved ministering to the sick, singing, sewing, baking, baseball, basketball, and best of all – teaching.
Surviving is brother Gerald (Ronnie) Schultz, sister Jane Glasgow, sister-in-law Lois Schultz, step children: Thomas (Cheryl) Wagner, Alan (Cheryl) Wagner, Linda Godfrey, Thonda Wagner, and numerous nieces, nephews extended family and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband Ernest, parents Anthony and Anna Schultz, brothers Anthony, Vincent, Edward, Joseph, Thomas, James, sisters: Helen Halpin, Viola Bayus, Sister Jane Edward Schultz, Margaret Seelye, Rosemary Mitchell, and stepson Leonard Wagner.
Anna was a gifted and caring person. She was dearly loved, and will be greatly missed by her family, friend, former students, and colleagues. She treated everyone who crossed her path in life with love and respect. Her love for God’s children knew no bounds. Please share your condolences at www.hansenfuneralhome.net