Gilbert T. Wagner 1914-1992

Funeral services fo Gilbert Thompson Wagner, 78, Reliance, will be at 1pm Friday, Oct.2nd, 1992, in the United Methodist Church, Reliance.  The Rev. James Towler will officiate. Burial will be in The Reliance Cemetery.  Visitation will be in Wevik Funeral Home Thursday from 9am to 9pm & Friday from 9-11 am; also one hour preceding services.

Gilbert died Sept. 27 in Sioux Valley Hospital. 

Gilbert Thompson Wagner was born at his parent's home southeast of Reliance on April 22, 1914.  He was the son of Sarah (Thompson) and Horace Wagner who had come to Lyman County in 1909 from Florrisant and Ferguson, Missouri.  When Gilbert was about five years old, his parents bought land and built a new house a short distance northwest of their first home.  George, their oldest son. had been born in Missouri.  Gilbert's sisters were born in the new house.  They are:  Alice Wagner Soderberg and Hazel Wagner Maxwell Davis.

The home and land are now owned by Gilbert and his wife, Ila Eymer Wagner.
Gilbert attended High School in Reliance and farmed with his father.  Gilbert and Ila were married April 10, 1937 in Mitchell.

Gilbert began to work at the Chamberlain Sale Barn in 1955 as a ring man and part-time auctioneer. In 1958, Gilbert decided to go to Auction School at Western College in Billings, Montana.  

He worked at the Chamberlain Livestock Sales for 29 years, retiring in 1984.  He continued in 'household & farm' auctions and real estate sales in a wide area from Pierre to south of Gregory, from Oakton to Sioux Falls.

After his father passed away in 1978, Gilbert bought his dad's ranch in May,1979 and lived there until his death.

Survivors, besides his wife of Reliance, include a son, Mark of Chamberlain; a daughter, Kathleen Thelen of Reliance; eight grandchildren; a great-grandchild; a brother, George of Benton, AK; and two sisters, Hazel Davis of Florissant, Mo., and Alice Soderberg of Metairie, LA.

Mr. Wagner was a member of the Cooper District School Board; American Creek Conservation District Board of Supervisors; Reliance United Methodist Church Board and Sunday School superintendant; Community Baily and Mid Dakota Hospital Board; Farmers Union Oil Company Board of Directors; Charter member of South Dakota Auctioneer's Association, past Board of Directors and past President: National Auctioneer's Association; Presho Western Star Lodge 157; Big Bend Shrine Club; Scottish Rite, Tri County Sportsman's Club; life member of National Rifle Association; life member of Lyman County Historical Society; supporter of Ducks Unlimited and Pheasant Country Limited; and Reliance High School Alumni Association officer.

Wevik Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.