Joan Charlotte Wagner

Joan Charlotte (Eros) Wagner passed away peacefully on January 6th, 2024, at the age of ninety-two. She is survived by daughters Kathy White (Ron), Laura Garcia (Arthur) and Tanya Wagner; seven grandchildren, Kelly Brase (Steve), Kristi O’Grady (Ryan Wyatt), Kerie Sanders (Eli), Mikaela Stone (Mike), Brittany Palaniuk (Eric), William M. Hodgson (Emmy Abbott) and Eric Hodgson (Katie Antis); eleven great grandchildren Kylie Fuson (Yanni), Nick Brase, Jackie Wyatt, Sean Wyatt, Jenna Stone, Patrick Sanders, Harper Stone, Mason Palaniuk, Penny Sanders, Isla Palaniuk and William D. Hodgson; two great-great grandchildren Ellie Fuson and Maverick Fuson; and brother, Donald Eros. She is preceded in death by her loving husband Herman Wagner; son, Eric Wagner; and parents Anthony Eros and Ida (Eckert) Eros.

Joan (Joannie to her friends) was born May 2, 1931, in Columbia, Illinois where she lived until the age of nine. The rest of her childhood was spent in Little Rock, Arkansas where she graduated high school from Mount St. Mary’s Academy in 1949. In 1952 Joan graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Hot Spring, Arkansas, at which time she began her career as a Registered Nurse specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

It was at a high school dance in 1947 where Joan first met Herman. They began dating shortly thereafter and were married on October 25, 1952. Herman was stationed in San Diego, California where he and Joan established their home and raised their family.

During her nursing career Joan worked on and off for doctors in private practice until 1975 when she began working for the Salvation Army. Her years of dedicated service continued until her retirement in 1994. During her time at the Salvation Army Joan was the Director for the Door of Hope Maternity Clinic, a program that served pregnant teens. She was instrumental in opening the Haven Program, a residential facility for teen mothers and their children and was the Head Nurse at the Salvation Army’s Women’s Alcohol Detoxification Center.

Through the years Joan volunteered as a Girl Scout Leader and served as a representative for the National Alcoholism Forum. A devout Catholic and member of Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá for 60 years she was a long-standing member of the Mission Guild.

Once the children were grown, Joan and Herman enjoyed several summers with their church family and friends down in San Quintín, Baja California. Always having a love for the beach, you could find them at Torrey Pines State Beach almost every day of the summer. Although they enjoyed their cross-country road trips, their favorite vacation spot was Hawaii, where they traveled to Kauai numerous times.

After the passing of her husband, Joan spent the last six years at Lantern Crest Senior Living. A community where she was surrounded by new friends and a wonderful, loving staff. She enjoyed crafting, bingo and weekly visits from her daughters and their families.

As a loving mother, grandmother and friend, she will be missed and warmly remembered by all.

Services will be held Wednesday, February 7th, 2024, at Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá. The funeral mass will begin at 10:00 am in the main church and will be followed by a reception in La Sala from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Private interment will be at Miramar National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Salvation Army in memory of Joan Wagner.