Lisa Sue Wagler passed away peacefully on December 18, 2025 in Des Moines, Iowa, at the age of 73. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, her life was marked by quiet faithfulness, generosity and service.
Lisa was born on March 12, 1952 to Thomas and Eleanor Dunsmoor in Spencer, Iowa. A daughter of a high school administrator, Lisa lived in Hartley, Iowa before settling in Bloomfield, Iowa, where she graduated from Davis County High School in 1970. She completed her bachelor’s degree in teaching from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, in the class of 1974. She was an active member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. On March 9, 1974, Lisa married childhood sweetheart, Richard Wagler, in the Smith Chapel on Simpson College’s Campus. The couple enjoyed 51 beautiful years together and raised three children; Adam, Michael, and Ellie. Richard passed away earlier this year on August 3.
Lisa and Richard briefly lived in St. Louis, Missouri and Dallas, Texas before returning to Bloomfield, to operate Wagler Funeral Home in September of 1979. As a partner in the business, Lisa worked diligently behind the scenes. She is remembered by the community as a steady source of compassion, consistently in service to others, and an active community member.
For many years, you could find Lisa in Davis County Community School classrooms, where she worked as a substitute teacher and volunteer. She was active in local chapters of PEO, Eastern Star and the TTT Society.
Lisa’s faith was a guiding force throughout her life. As a longtime member of Bloomfield United Methodist Church, she shared her musical gifts by playing the piano and organ in addition to helping lead the youth choir. She was also involved in teaching Sunday School and with the United Methodist Women, even serving as the group’s president in the 90s.
Lisa was a record-keeper, diligently keeping hand-written diaries of each day’s events starting with the birth of her first son, in 1979. She valued time with her family, in her community, and with friends. She spent many long weekends at the Lake of the Ozarks, playing dominoes with girlfriends. After retiring, Lisa and Richard moved to Des Moines, where they could enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren.
She is survived by her three children, Adam Wagler of Lincoln, Nebraska, Michael (Claire Richmond) Wagler, Ellie (Winston) Wagler-Stewart both of Des Moines; four grandchildren, Carter Wagler-Stewart, Aria Stewart, Finn Wagler, Hutch Wagler; sister, Vicki (Randy) Meyer of Long Prairie, Minnesota; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Rev. Ellis Andrews officiating. Burial will be at the IOOF Cemetery in Bloomfield. Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be from noon until the time of the service at the funeral home on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Davis County Community Foundation.
