The Wagner Cemetery Association would like to thank all of those who have given of their time and those who have given generous donations to the cemetery this spring. Most recently we would like to thank the individuals who have donated their time to helping get the cemetery cleaned up in preparation for Memorial Day. On Wednesday, May 8th a small crew of volunteer ladies swept through the cemetery to complete the spring cleanup of debris, faded flowers, and broken mementos. Also, at a different time, some volunteers did get a tree stump and branches removed and filled some low spots with dirt. With our welcome spring rains, the mowing crew has already been at work to keep the grounds looking nice. Spring application of weed control chemical has already been applied as well. The Wagner Cemetery Association relies on the generosity of our community to be able to keep being able to provide the perpetual care and maintenance at the cemetery. The cost of plots being sold and/or grave opening fees for prior purchased plots alone is not enough to cover each years expenses. We thank each and every one who has a little time to help keep the cemetery a beautiful resting place for our loved ones.

As we approach the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, we wish to remind the community of the rules for decorations at the Wagner Cemetery. Out of respect to families, our volunteer cemetery board has thoughtfully considered what is in the best interest of families and also what is in the best interest of the maintenance and mowing of the cemetery. Much thought was put into what is appropriate and also what is able to be maintained. Please be considerate of the volunteers who have given their time to help clean up the cemetery and also the mowing crew that we have contracted to keep the cemetery mowed and trimmed this summer. The following rules are the Wagner Cemetery Association Rules for Decorations: Decorations to be removed within two weeks following Memorial Day, Decorations to be removed within two weeks following a funeral, We DO ALLOW metal shepherd hooks, military, or organization affiliation stakes-we do ask that you keep the stakes in line with the monument and right next to the foundation of monument/headstone. No new planting of trees or shrubs allowed, No breakables ceramic or glass allowed and please no small stones, golf balls, etc. (these are dangerous if they are on the grave site and get picked up by the lawn mowing equipment while mowing and trimming), Items not allowed or items left after two weeks will be removed and placed in a pickup area in the maintenance corner on the south east portion of the cemetery.

As a volunteer board we ask for everyone to be considerate. Some items are just not appropriate or feasible for our mowers to work around. The entire grave site cannot be covered with decorations as that is not able to be mowed or trimmed. That is why we are asking that every family try to keep their decorations in line with the monument’s head/foot stones from north to south as that makes the mowing and trimming much easier. And we would encourage families to keep special treasured mementos in their own remembrance garden or flower garden at your residence. The Wagner Cemetery Association is not responsible for broken or missing items on grave sites.

The Wagner Cemetery Association is made up of a volunteer board. Mark your calendars for our Wagner Cemetery Association annual meeting to be held the first Tuesday in June. The annual meeting will be held June 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the Wagner Lake Shelter. Please plan to attend to find out what we have done and what we have planned to do. We will be looking for an additional board member to fill a vacancy. We are open to ideas, suggestions, and feedback. Please contact one of the board members if you have concerns: Chad Peters, President; Linda Youngbluth, Vice President; Patty Frei, Secretary/ Treasurer; Todd Johannsen, Dave Robertson and Melissa Zacharias.