James M. Wagner, age 76, of Dubuque, passed away at 12:46 a.m., on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at Mercy One Medical Center.  To honor Jim’s life, family and friends may visit from 3:00 until 7:00p.m. on Thursday at St. Patrick’s Church, 1425 Iowa Street, Dubuque.  Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday at St. Patrick’s Church, with Very Rev. Dennis J. Quint officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by Dubuque American Legion Dubuque Post 6. Behr Funeral Home is assisting Jim’s family.

Jim was born on May 12, 1948, in Hazel Green, WI, son of Lloyd and Marie (Neyens) Wagner.
He attended Sacred Heart School and Dubuque Senior High School.

Jim married the love of his life, Cheri Ludowitz, on August 24, 1968 at St. Mary’s Church in Dubuque.
He was drafted into the service served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1970. Jim was life-long resident of Dubuque and worked as a salesman for Myers-Cox for over 30 years. Jim was a proud veteran and a hero in every sense of the word.  His dedication to his country and those who served, in all branches of the military, were evident every day of his life.  Jim was a proud member of St. Patrick’s Church, Tri-State Vietnam Vets, the American Legion and the DAV.

Since his time in the Army, like many, Jim has had struggles over the years and an understanding of the struggles of others in similar situations.  Jim had a way with making others comfortable enough to open up to him.  Jim always had an ear or a shoulder available to anyone in need.  Jim recognized a need that was not being met for fellow veterans and began welcoming them to his tiny garage workshop.  People would stop by for a chat, to say hello or use him as a sounding board for any situation.  As word got out about Jim’s willingness to help, his garage quickly became too small.  Jim teamed up with his best friend, Al Rowell, to advocate for all veterans and they soon saw a need for a space that was larger and open regular hours to encourage the comradery that our vets were needing. The larger space became the Veterans Freedom Center.  As the Center continued to grow, they continued to add services for our community veterans.  Jim’s life and their Legacy are exemplified in the Veteran’s Freedom Center and everything it stands for.

In his younger days, Jim enjoyed a good game of golf.  His love of fishing and old cars were hobbies that he enjoyed for most of his life.  He continued to share the things he loved with his fellow veterans by organizing rides and rallies to benefit veterans and taking groups who could not get out on the water to enjoy a day fishing.

Jim’s shoes are too big for any one person to fill, there will only ever be one “Wags”, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of those in our community he has touched.  His loss and his enthusiasm to help others will be felt by all who knew him.

Those left to cherish Jim’s memory include his wife of 56 years, Cheri Wagner, Dubuque, IA;
his daughters, Tammy (T.J.) Maas, Bluff City, TN and Crystal (Jeremy) Campbell, Dubuque, IA;
his grandchildren, McKenzie and William Maas and Cali Bockenstedt; his sisters, Judy (Bill) Burbach, Kieler, WI, Phyllis (Terry Tigges) Murphy, Dubuque, IA; his brothers, Tom (Ami) Wagner, Dubuque, IA, Norb (Connie) Wagner, Warsaw, MO; his in-laws, Dianne (Lyle) Harris, Kathy (Dick) Schuster, Roxy Pickel, Danny (Laura) Ludowitz, Randy (Rose) Ludowitz and Peter Ludowitz.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Nancy Wagner, a sister-in-law, Sherry Ludowitz, and 2 brothers-in-law, Tom Murphy and Denny Pickel.

Jim’s family would like to thank the Dubuque 911 Call Center, Dubuque Fire and Ambulance, Mercy One Medical Center and his family at the Veterans Freedom Center for all of their care and outpouring of support.

Jim lived by the motto- “Live in such a way that if someone spoke badly of you, no one would believe it.”

Cards and memorials in Jim’s memory may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. James Wagner Family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com