Darlene Elaine Wagner

After a short battle with cancer, Darlene Elaine Wagner (nee Bates) of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan passed away on August 6, 2026, at the age of 83.

Darlene was born on June 2, 1943 and was the only child on Lorne and Edith Bates. She grew up on the family farm, west of Kelvington and later right in Kelvington, where she completed her schooling.

On April 14, 1960, Darlene married Allan Wagner. Darlene and Allan moved around Saskatchewan, wherever Allan’s job with SaskPower took them. Darlene was a stay-at-home mom who gave everything that she could to her children. In 1972, they returned to Kelvington and began farming in the Kinloch area where Darlene became a valuable member of the Manchester Community Club. Eventually, they left the farm and moved to Melfort, where Allan was employed by Mamer and Voelk Construction LTD and Darlene found employment with a Melfort Florist. Their next move was to Prince Albert, where Darlene worked at a local convenience store. She loved to talk to people, so retail was a great fit for her.

After another move, this time to Moose Jaw, Darlene found employment with Walmart in the fabric department. Her passion for sewing and knitting, made this a perfect fit. Darlene continued to work at Walmart until she retired in 2008.

After retirement, winters were spent in an RV park in Bullhead City, Arizona, where Darlene made many friends. And summer found them back in Moose Jaw. Her time was spent visiting with friends and family or sewing and knitting for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Handmade pajama pants being their favorite.

Left to cherish Darlene’s memory are her loving husband of 66 years, Allan Wagner; her son, Dennis (Heidi), and their family, Blair (Rob Lissinna) and their children, Noah and Peyson; Jamie Wagner (Steve Bencharski); Rhea (David Engdahl) and their children, Alexander, Laila, and Lennox; Deven (Lauren Stewart) and their son, James; and Tyler Stewart; her daughter, Melodie (Wayne Sand), and their family, Andre (Tina) and their daughter, Priah, and Michael and his son, Olen; her daughter, Regan (Jack Stadnyk), and their family, Daxton Moffatt (Christa) and their daughter, arriving in November, Desirae (Corbin Beer) and their daughters, Maggie and Athena, and Ethan; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Richard (Barb) Wagner, Lloyd (Ruth) Wagner, and Connie Wagner; as well as her emotional-support kitty, Missy.

Darlene was predeceased by her son, Merilyn; her parents, Lorne and Edith Bates; her parents-in-law, Florian and Caroline Wagner; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Florian Jr. and Myrtle Wagner; her brothers-in-law, Lewis Wagner and Donald Wagner; and her aunts and uncles, Mervin and Jean Bates, Arthur Bates, and Alton Bates.