Bette Lue Wagner

On January 26th, 2025, one day before her 94th birthday, Bette’s wish finally came true. She received a gift that none of us could give her. She met her Savior and Lord face-to-face.

Bette was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin, and spent summers working at the cheese factory in Monroe. After graduating from Madison East H.S. she met John Duerr, a handsome airman stationed at Truex Field. They married, moved to Milwaukee, and raised three children, Denise, Lori, John. 

During those many years together she worked as a checker at Kohl’s Food Store where she formed a special bond with Herb Kohl (yes, the senator and previous owner of the Milwaukee Bucks). He would always tell her “us redheads need to stick together”. 

Many years later, she married a wonderful man, Raymond Wagner, and spent most of their 19 years together in New Berlin.
She was a dedicated Brewers fan, never missing a game on TV, even if she had to DVR it and watch it the next morning when she got up. 

She is survived by her three children and their spouses, three grandchildren (one sadly proceeded her in death just a few short months ago), and six great grandchildren.

We miss her already.