With heavy hearts and deep gratitude for a life well lived, we announce the peaceful passing of Rosemary Luciana Wagner on Thursday, August 13, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on June 2, 1933, in Lanesboro, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, to Francis John Kane and Rose Mary Luciana.
On June 16, 1962, Rosemary married Arthur Wagner at St. John’s Roman Catholic Church in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania. Together they had five children: David (Nancy) Wagner, Michael (Janice) Wagner, Karen Meyer, Laura (Mark) Leahy, and Mark Wagner. She was also blessed with 13 grandchildren—Ryan (Alex) Wagner, Eric Wagner, Trevor Wagner, Charissa Statz (Joe Deal), Dominic Chenois, Jacob (Chantel) Wagner, Kristine (Jesse) Sledge, Nicolas Wagner, Sarah (Daniel) Clemens, Lindsey Leahy, Gabriel Leahy, Abby (Ben) Bengtson, and Noah Meyer—and 10 great-grandchildren. Rosemary graduated from the Wilson nursing program in Johnson City, New York, and devoted her career to caring for others. She served at Wilson Hospital, Lourdes Hospital Emergency Room, and later as an industrial nurse with IBM. After moving to Rochester, Minnesota, she continued nursing at Samaritan Bethany Nursing Home and with Shamrock In-Home Nursing Care.
Deeply rooted in her faith, Rosemary was an active member of St. Pius Catholic Church and later Pax Christi Catholic Church. She enjoyed reading, theatre, ceramics, flowers, gardening, picnics, walks, travel, children, and dogs. She had a special love of history and shared that passion by leading summer tours at the Plummer House and Christmas-season tours at Mayowood.
Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents Francis and Rose Kane, her brother Francis Gerald “Jerry” Kane, and infant son Mark Wagner.
A celebration of Rosemary’s life will be held on August 21, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Pax Christi Catholic Church, 4135 18th Ave NW, Rochester, MN 55901. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Rosemary’s family will greet guests after the service before departing for a private family burial.
Rosemary Wagner’s family extends heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff of Madonna Towers, Season’s Hospice, and Visiting Angels for the compassionate care given. To our dear family, friends, and neighbors, we thank you from the depths of our hearts for your love, support, and many acts of kindness throughout Rosemary’s life. Thank you.
I am so sorry to hear about Rosemary’s passing! Her and Art came to see me for their hearing aid needs and I told them they were very special people to me! Such love they had! Please know that I am thinking of her family and especially Art during this difficult time. God’s blessings for comfort.❤️
Wagner Family,
What a wonderful tribute to Rosemary. Our summer night driveway visits were always full of questions and conversations! She touched the lives of many, caring about family and those she met through her life’s adventures. Indeed, she had a life well lived. Prayers of peace to the family.
Rosemary and Art were a part of our old Pax Christi Birthday & Breakfast Club. We enjoyed our breakfasts and conversation so much at the “pie place” — the old Bakers Square in NE Rochester! Art was such a good conversationalist and Rosemary loved the “girl talk” with us ladies❣️. And our normal waitress, Pam, always seemed to know what we wanted to order before we ordered it! . Great memories!!