Lori originates from Odebolt Iowa. She came to Wagner in 1985 as she obtained a job at the Wagner School teaching first grade. She taught for 16 years before moving into administration, where she stayed for another 18 years until she chose to retire.

Bouza now stays busy boarding, grooming and taking care of dogs at her home, running her business Just Paws .

In 1990 she married her husband Jim, they have four children, Justin, Jon, Jade and Josi.

Lori is a member of the Lighthouse Church, served in the National Guard for 21 years, is a member of the Wagner Helping Hands and SOC committees, a member of the Child Protection Team, the SD Committee of Practitioners and SD Family Engagement Committee.

She is most proud of Wagner for the people of the community, “they are just the most welcoming and wonderful people I could know, and once I was here I truly fell in love with Wagner and could not leave.”

Her favorite memory of Wagner’s Labor Day celebration was the very first one she attended. The first weekend in fact, she arrived in Wagner, which happened to be during our celebration. She was amazed that a community of our size could be so well organized and full of such community support to have the ability to put on such an awesome event.

Lori wants to thank the community and the Labor Day Committee for selecting her to be one of the 2019 Parade Marshalls. She was very humbled and so proud to receive such an honor from the community.

Waltwasbornandraisedsouthof Wagner. He attended country school for his elementary years before attending two years of Ravinia High School and then graduating Wagner High School. He went on to Dakota Wesleyan to receive a Biology degree before he began his 39 year career in the Wagner School District. Walt was a Biology teacher along with coaching football, basketball, track and acting as Athletic Director as well.

Walt has one son, Doug, and his wife Kamlin.

He was a member of the Wagner Labor Day Committee and Fire Department. He has received the SD High School Coaches Award for 25 years of service, is a member of the LMVC and SESD Wall of Fame and will be inducted into the Wagner Hall of Fame this fall.

Walt has always been proud of his hometown of Wagner, because of its so many friendly and helpful people.

He has many good memories of being on the Labor Day Committee for three years, working hard and organizing the celebration.

He was very proud of coaching Wagner to the Football State Championship in the fall of 1982 and the runner-up team in 1983. His defense from those days can be best described as stout and stingy to say the least.

Another of Walt’s favorite memories stem back to the 20 years of baseball he played for the Wagner Rockets. He stated a memory of playing against the local town of Lesterville, where he struck out 22 batters only to lose the game 3-2 in 14 innings.

Walt would also like to thank the community and the Labor Day Committee for choosing him to be a 2019 Labor Day Parade Marshall. “It is definitely an honor to represent Wagner and I am truly appreciative of this opportunity," he commented.