Obituary of Mildred L Wagner

Mildred Louise Wagner, 96, of Solon, Iowa passed away peacefully at her home in the Solon Retirement Village on May 24, 2026 surrounded by her family.

Born September 20, 1929 along with her twin sister Maxine on a farm outside of Livermore, Iowa, ‘Milly’ was the 6th child of 11 born to Merrill and Esther Koob.  She graduated from Humboldt High School in 1947 and moved to Storm Lake where she married Don D. Hughes and proceeded to have 7 children.  They settled in LeMars, Iowa where she raised their large family before divorcing in 1965. Three years later she married Jim Wagner who was, as she always said, “the true love” of her life.  They moved to Williamsburg and then Tiffin, Iowa.  Upon Jim’s passing in 1979, she moved to Iowa City, and finally settled in Solon. 

In the late 60s and throughout the 70s, Milly became a nationally known expert in the field of Depression glass.  She and Jim hosted the first Depression Glass only show in the state of Iowa and went on to host annual shows in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Colorado, Texas and Wisconsin. 

Milly loved reading, planting and caring for her flowers, playing bingo, cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and going on the occasional cruise. She delighted in listening to music, especially if it was played by her kids and grandkids.  In her younger days she was a keen bowler and dart thrower. She was most at home around a table playing (cheating at!) Scrabble, cards and dice with her family. Her sharp wit and occasionally dark sense of humor made it easy to stay at the table, play another round and listen to her words of wisdom and stories.  She travelled extensively after the age of 40, visiting 47 of the 50 states as well as Mexico and Japan.

She retired from her career in Housekeeping at the University of Iowa in 1991. 

The absolute pride and joy of her life was her family.  She raised 7 children; for the most part on her own.  She was a treasure and a true matriarch to her family.

Left to cherish her memory are her surviving children, Patricia Baxter (Howard), McKinney, TX, Marla Barfield (Brad), San Diego, CA, Doni Stokes (Arden), Trinity, TX, Don D. Hughes Jr. (Kimmy), Amelia Court House, VA, Sue Samek (Kevin), Solon, IA and Robert Hughes (Jan), Struble, IA.  Sandra’s life partner, Richard Sabin, Longview, Tx.  She amassed 18 Grandchildren and their spouses, 37 Great Grandchildren and their spouses and 5 great great children, 2 Step Children, Jim (Diane) Wagner & Ruth Anne Lugg and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Wagner, her daughter Sandra J. Graf of Longview, TX, grandson Zachery Samek and great grandson Jack McLane.  Additionally, her parents, ten brothers and sisters including her twin sister Maxine Sweeting of Iowa City and stepson Noel Wagner. 

A celebration of life will be held in LeMars, Iowa on May 30, 2026 at 10:00 AM at the Calvin Christian Reformed Church with internment following at Resthaven Cemetery.  To share a thought, memory or condolence with her family please visit Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website @ www.gayandciha.com.