Ronald William Wagner

PORTAGE – Ronald William Wagner, age 74, passed away on Monday, May 18, 2026, at UW Hospital in Madison as a result of a head injury.

Ron was born on July 26, 1951, in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, to William and Marjorie (Olson) Wagner. Ron graduated from Portage High School in 1969 and continued his education at Madison Area Technical College. He served his country, enlisting in the U.S. Army on February 19, 1971. After basic training, he joined the 82nd Airborne Division. After completion of his service, he was honorably discharged.
Ron married Kari McMahon on September 6, 1980. Together they raised three sons: Jason, Joshua, and Jacob.

Ron worked in the family business, Wagner Implement (later known as Wagner Lawn and Sport) in Portage until his father’s retirement in 1988, when the business closed. Ron then worked at Wisconsin Power and Light at the Columbia Power Plant and later transferred to the fleet service facility in Poynette, where he was parts manager until retiring from Alliant Energy in 2020.Ron was a man of many talents, interests, and hobbies. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and adventure hikes. He was a man of excitement, enjoying fast motorcycles, snowmobiles, and race cars. In his later years, he joined the local Corvette club and enjoyed road trips with his wife. He liked seeing new places and finding a new spot to grab a good meal.

Ron was passionate about participating in competitive social recreation. He competed for many years in horseshoe and softball leagues. As a member of the Montello Rod and Gun Club, he competed in pistol and rifle leagues. Ron had many golf partners and was actively seeking more.

A true legend on the sheets, Ron curled continuously at the Portage Curling Club for 52 consecutive years, starting in 1974, proving that his love for the game never grew cold. He took pride in setting an example of sportsmanship and passing those values on to future generations, especially his three sons and grandchildren.  He was more than a curler. He was a teammate, storyteller, and a friend to all at the club. He was often the first to volunteer for help and one of the last to leave after a night of curling and broomstacking. He very much enjoyed bonspieling at multiple clubs throughout Wisconsin. In 2026 he was honored at the 72nd Milwaukee Men’s Invitational Bonspiel with the Susan Van Till Memorial Award for his continued bonspiel support and sportsmanship. 

Ron was a man of service and commitment to others. He served as District Director with the Jaycees. He had been a Boy Scout leader with Troop 70, committing himself to the Order of the Arrow and serving on Round Table representing the Four Lakes District. At the time of his passing, he was an active member of the American Legion Post 47 Honor Guard, where he found profound meaning in conducting ceremonial duties and honoring fellow veterans. Ron also had the privilege of participating in the Badger Honor Flight as a result of his service.

Above all else, Ron was a committed family man and loyal friend. He was devoted to his wife, Kari, for 45 years and cherished his time with the family they built together. He was committed to going to every game, appointment, recital or show that he could fit into his busy schedule, often arriving early to stake out the best spot. He made sure his children and grandchildren were taught important life and safety skills that were passed down to him.  As a friend, he was always ready with his chainsaw or his tool box in your time of need. Consistently placing others above himself. He saw the best in people and always took the time to give a compliment or make someone laugh. Ron was a friend to many and a stranger to no one. 

Ron is survived by his wife, Kari; his three sons, Jason (Jodi) Brandsma and children, McKenzie and Riley; Joshua (Minta) Brandsma and their children, Colton (Brianna), Kaylin, Asher, and Alana; and Jacob (Corinne Malone) Wagner and their children, William and Emery. He is also survived by his siblings, Vickie (Jeff) Rzepiejewski, Richard Wagner, and David (Janice) Wagner; his brother-in-law, Ron Paske; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends, including his lifelong companion, Bill Barth. He is further survived by an expected great-grandson due in June. Ron was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Barb Paske; his niece, Rebecca Rzepiejewski; and his in-laws, Roy and Wilma McMahon.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, with his grandson, Colton Brandsma, officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, with military honors provided by the Portage American Legion Veterans Honor Guard. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, as well as from 11:00 a.m. until the 1:00 p.m. service on Friday, May 29th.

The family would like to thank the Dekorra and Poynette EMS teams for their amazing response, the heroic MedFlight crew for their swift transport, and the caring teams at UW Madison Emergency and ICU.

Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.