Anna Justina Wagner

Anna Justina Wagner of Lansing entered the Kingdom of Heaven on August 19, 2025 on her 92nd birthday. She departed this life surrounded by her loving family at Hospicare in Ithaca.

She was born on August 19, 1933 in Portland Point, NY to Herman and Justina Ecker. She graduated from Lansing High School in 1951 and married the love of her life, William Wagner, on April 18, 1953. Over the next eleven years, they were blessed with seven children.

Anna’s family and her Catholic faith were the center of her life. She lovingly cared for her children at home, shaping their faith and supporting their social and athletic activities. She also worked in various secretarial roles throughout her life. Anna enjoyed cooking and baking for her family. Every Sunday and holiday she prepared numerous dishes for those who gathered at her home up until she was in her late eighties. Her Sunday soup, holiday cookies, and fruit pies were second to none. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren brought great joy to her life.

She was a lifelong parishioner of All Saints Roman Catholic Church, singing in the choir with her sister Elsie, organizing parish festivals and decorating the church for holidays, baking for the cake wheel, serving as Eucharistic Minister, leading Rosary Services and Stations of the Cross, and volunteering additionally as needed. Donating to Catholic charities around the world was close to her heart.

Anna and Bill traveled extensively throughout the US and to many European countries, highlighted by trips to the Holy Land, Egypt, Medjugorie, Ireland, and Austria. They renewed their wedding vows after 45 years of marriage in Cana, Galilee.

She was an avid fan of the New York Yankees and Miami Dolphins, watching them on TV along with EWTN and cooking shows. She made hundreds of rosaries for the faithful in third world countries, enjoyed solving cryptogram and sudoku puzzles, and having phone calls with family and friends near and far.

Anna is survived by her children, Victoria Poelvoorde, Annette (Frank) White, Robert (Cathy), and John (Cindy), all of Lansing, William (Holly) of Windham, ME, Richard (Anita) of Webster, NY, and daughter-in-law Lisa Tzivanis Roberts of Seneca Falls. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren; in-laws Emily Tvaroha, Richard Zifchock, and Jeanette Ecker; many nieces and nephews; relatives in Austria; and lifelong friends Theresa Spencer and Sophie Stark.

In addition to her parents, Anna was predeceased by her devoted husband of 62 years, William; her youngest child Joseph, and her siblings John, Elsie, Joseph, Frank, and Stella.

A special thank you goes to the staff at Hospicare and Anne Drake, who administered the Holy Eucharist to Anna weekly in her later years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at All Saints Church in Lansing this Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery immediately after the service, followed by a Celebration of Life at the All Saints Parish Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to All Saints Church or Hospicare. To share a memory of Anna, please visit the guestbook below.