Paula Kay Wagner

Paula Kay Wagner

July 15, 1947 – February 15, 2024

WAUNAKEE – Paula Kay Wagner (Fahey), loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, age 76, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, February 15^th, 2024 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI, surrounded by her family.  She was born July 15^th, 1947 at St. Clare Hospital in Monroe, the daughter of Paul “Laddie” and Rita (Hetznecker) Fahey.  Paula grew up in the Belleville area on the family farm with her 8 siblings and was a 1965 graduate of Academy of St. Benedict in Madison, WI.   She spent 2 years working in a Milwaukee, WI hospital for the St. Benedict Order assisting with patient care.   She decided to leave the St. Benedict Order and moved to St. Louis with a friend, where she worked for a telecommunications company.  After 2 years she returned to Madison and was employed with the State of Wisconsin.   During that time, she met the love of her life, Sam, and they eventually married on May 8^th, 1971 in Belleville, WI.  She continued to work until deciding in 1976 to focus on her growing family.  For over 30 years, her in-home daycare was a busy place where she provided care for her children, grandchildren, and children of others.  She’s left a lasting imprint on the lives of so many.

She spent so much time enjoying anything centered around family – babysitting grandchildren, attending sporting events, baking (her Christmas cookies were one of a kind!), hosting birthday celebrations, traveling and many times just offering a listening ear.  She was a calming force when needed.  She loved Sam dearly, her family with her at any time, vacation time in Arizona and Hawaii, shopping trips with her daughters, the sale rack at Chico’s and laughter with family and friends.  She was a proud supporter of several Midwestern casinos where she happily enjoyed many sleepless nights.

Her greatest accomplishment was her family.  Her 8 children were her everything and the center of her world.  She was the most amazing mother and grandmother, and everything she did was for them.  She was caring, loving, selfless and the easiest person to love.

Her passing has left a tremendous void - one impossible to replace.  We love her so much and will forever miss her.

Paula is survived by her husband Samuel, children Brian (Lora) Wagner, Bridget (Chad) Gilding, Amy (Jared) Acker, Aaron (Erin) Wagner, Travis (Megan) Wagner, Kyle (Jen) Wagner, Kevin Wagner, Monica (Eric) Laufenberg and grandchildren Taylor, Brinley, Jackson, Emma, Abby, Preston, Ellana, Lilly, Brayden, Laila, Trentin and Blake.  She is further survived by her siblings Patrick (Barbara) Fahey, Jane (Jerry) Schwartz, Susan (Glen) Harry, Rita (Francis) Reible, LuAnn (William) Pauli and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Michael, Paul and Timothy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 26^th, 2024 at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church, 209 South St., Waunakee, WI with Rev. Simon Tipps officiating.  Burial will be in Saint John’s Cemetery in Waunakee.  A visitation will be held from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 25^th, 2024 at Winn-Cress Funeral Home, 5785 Hwy Q, Waunakee, WI.  An additional visitation will be held from 9:30-11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 26^th, 2024 at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church.

Memorials are suggested to Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church.

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com

Winn-Cress Funeral Home 

5785 Hwy Q, Waunakee, WI