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Her favorite prayer was, “Whatever I do, I do for the greater honor and glory of God.”

Eleanor “Tiny” Mary Wagner, née Butschek, passed away peacefully in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on August 27, 2026, at the age of 103, comforted and cherished by her daughter Linda. She was born on November 27, 1922, in Hackberry, Texas, and lived a long and grace-filled life marked by faith, devotion to family, and a generous spirit of service to others.

Tiny was a valedictorian of the Moulton High School Class of 1940. She attended Baldwin’s Business College, though her education was interrupted to return home and help with the family. Even so, her commitment to learning and service continued throughout her life. She later earned her Dental Assistant certificate in 1978 and her LVN License in 1981, reflecting both her determination and her desire to care for others.

Her working life was one of steady dedication. She served Moulton dentists Dr. Martin Wagner for 20 years and Dr. Forrest Kroschel for 2 years, and she also worked for 16 years at Shady Oak Nursing Home. In every role, she brought the same loving, considerate nature that so many came to know and treasure.

Tiny’s faith was the foundation of her life. A devout Catholic, she modeled the teachings of her faith with humility, kindness, and a willingness to help everyone. Her favorite prayer was, “Whatever I do, I do for the greater honor and glory of God,” and those words were reflected in the way she lived each day. Her deep faith led her to active participation in parish life at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Moulton, where she was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, the Altar Society, Christian Mothers, and the church choir. She was also a charter member of the Moulton American Legion Auxiliary Unit 392 through her husband’s World War II service, and she believed deeply that our country was great because it was built on moral and religious values.

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Tiny viewed motherhood as her greatest gift.

She found joy in simple and beautiful things, especially working in her vegetable garden and flower beds. Above all, Tiny viewed motherhood as her greatest gift. She deeply loved her four children and took great joy in caring for her grandchildren. She was also very proud of her family’s connection to Praha’s St. Mary’s Church. Her great-grandfather, John Kubena, donated one of the church windows, and his wife, Susie Janak Kubena, donated the cross in the cemetery, a heritage of faith and devotion that meant a great deal to her.

Tiny is survived by her children, Maynard Wagner, Audrey Wagner and husband Bill Hanson, James Archie "Jim" Wagner and wife Eva, Linda Wagner and her husband Tony Hannaman. She also leaves behind her grandchildren: Marla Jasek and her husband Michael; Shannon Wagner; Jonathan Sparks and his wife Marla; Max Hannaman; Rachel Hannaman; Kell Wagner; Sven Hanson; and Denise Huber Wagner; 17 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren. Each of them carries forward the love, strength, and faith she shared so freely throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dannis Wagner; her great-grandson, Ross Jasek; her daughter-in-law LaVerne Wagner, her parents, Henry Joe Butschek and Susie Butschek; her brothers, George Butschek, Edgar Butschek, Henry Butschek Jr., Matthew Butschek, John Butschek, Robert Butschek, and Allan Butschek; her sister, Henrietta Menely; and her cousins Virgil Calcote, Pearl Kutac, and Edith Calcote, who were raised alongside her as siblings and held a special place in her life.

A Rosary will be held at 10:00 a.m. on September 17, 2026, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 601 N Pecan St, Moulton, Texas, followed by a Memorial Mass at 10:30 a.m. Inurnment will take place at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, N Lancaster St, Moulton, Texas.

Tiny was an angel who walked among us for 103 years. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, humility, hard work, and unwavering love for her family. Her life was beautifully lived, and her memory will remain a comfort and inspiration for generations to come.