Obituary: Louis Wagner

– June 7, 2025 
It’s with great sadness that we announce the loss of Louis “Lou” Wagner, 84, who passed away peacefully on June 7, 2025. Born in Menasha, WI to Edith and Charlie Wagner, Lou lived a full life and touched many along the way.
Lou graduated from DC Everest High School in Schofield and earned a degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and Scabbard & Blade. There he met and married the love of his life, Sandy Brumley in 1963. After a season of ski bumming in Aspen, where he introduced Sandy to the mountains, Lou was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Ordinance Corps and proudly served a tour in Vietnam. Son, Karl, was born while stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA. Lou graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where his daughter, Kristin, was born.
Lou had a passion for business, working for The Pillsbury Company in Minneapolis, MN, then becoming a franchisee of Burger King restaurants, opening his first in Manhattan, KS and expanding to other parts of Kansas. His business acumen and people skills left a lasting impact on both employees and customers.
With kids graduated from college and business sold, he and Sandy headed to Frisco, CO where they enjoyed the mountains and the peaceful life they had always dreamed of. Lou’s love for skiing was matched only by his dedication to community. He served as President of the Summit Chamber of Commerce and the Summit County Rotary Club. He was a member of the Professional Ski Instructors Association and was an Instructor and Guide at Copper Mountain.
After 38 years of a marriage to Sandy Lou lost his beloved wife to cancer in 2002.
Determined to “press on,” Lou found new joy through involvement with the National Repertory Orchestra, golf, ranch life and travel with his partner of 18 years, Sandy Mortensen.
In his last five years, Lou enjoyed an active and happy life in Eagle, CO making new friends at the senior center, playing poker and bridge, learning to cook, and showing up to watch his grandkids’ school activities and sports. He was proud of his kids, their spouses, loved being “Grandpa Lou” and a great grandfather.
Lou leaves behind a sister (Helen Knutzen), two children, Karl (Andrea) Wagner and Kris (August) Wittenberg, grandchildren Reese (Scarlette) Wagner, Sophie Wagner, Hans Wittenberg and Addie Wittenberg as well as two great-grandchildren, River and Stella Wagner and his beloved dog, Abby.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 27, 2025,11:30 am at Eagle River Presbyterian Church in Avon, CO. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Summit County Rotary Club.