Dorothy Wagner

BIOGRAPHY

Dorothy Wagner was born in Centralia, Illinois, USA, on 2 September 1904. She was born to Edward and Nellie Stinson. Her father worked as a builder, while her mother was an obstetrics nurse—a skill that proved invaluable, as Dorothy spent the first nine years of her life bedridden with pneumonia. Both of her parents later died of pneumonia—her father at age 62, and her mother at 87. Dorothy cared for them through their final days.

On her 19th birthday, she began specialized nursing training. During the first year, students earned just $5 per month. Dorothy had a deep love for nursing. She took pride in caring for patients and staying by their side until the effects of anesthesia—then ether—had worn off. She graduated in 1927, wearing a dress she had sewn herself.

During her time as a nurse, she met a woman who believed Dorothy would be a perfect match for her brother. Since Dorothy didn’t know anyone in Chicago, she agreed to meet him—Howard Wagner. Dorothy and Howard married in 1928. The Great Depression hit the following year, and their first son, Ken, was born in 1930. Howard, a plumber by trade, lost his work permit during the Depression, making times especially difficult for the young family.

In 1942, at age 38, Howard joined the U.S. Navy and became a Seabee stationed in Trinidad. He returned home in 1946—and nine months later, their second son, Ted, was born.

Later in life, Dorothy became a beautician and eventually transitioned into real estate during the 1960s. She partnered with agents from Horseshoe Bend who promoted property sales in Illinois, often using travel packages to attract buyers. In 1965, Dorothy and her husband Howard purchased their own lots, and in 1968, they built a home she personally designed, incorporating barn wood, local stone, and plants from her Illinois gardens. Their marriage lasted 55 years, until Howard’s passing.

Dorothy Wagner passed away in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas, on 21 June 2016, at the age of 111 years, 293 days.

RECOGNITION

At the time of her passing, she was the oldest living person in the U.S. state of Arkansas. Upon her own passing, she was succeeded by Leta Nolen.

Her age was validated by the Gerontology Research Group on 27 November 2015. The validation was later recognized by LongeviQuest.

ATTRIBUTION

* “‘We’re just in awe of this lady’” – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 18 October 2008

* “Turning 110” – Batesville Daily Guard, 2 September 2014

GALLERY

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