Mark Thomas Wagner

Mark Thomas Wagner, 58, of Onalaska, Wisconsin passed away unexpectantly from a heart attack on August 13, 2023 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Red Wing, Minnesota.

He was born on March 2, 1965 in La Crosse, Wisconsin to his parents George and Mary Wagner.  Mark graduated from Aquinas High School in 1983.  Mark spent his childhood playing football, baseball, and hockey. Mark always looked up to his parents and sought their advice. Some of his most memorable moments during his childhood were woodworking projects with his dad, a shared passion for motorcycles, his days spent at the Sailboat Club, and making his parents nervous with his neighborhood shenanigans.

These passions continued into adulthood with days and nights spent at the hockey rink.  For more years than anyone can count, Mark coached both the Boys and Girls Onalaska High School hockey teams. In addition to coaching hockey, Mark also coached the Onalaska High School softball team. Mark’s favorite years were those spent coaching his children. Mark had an incredible impact on everyone and became a second father to many.

Although he enjoyed coaching and his years spent owning Wagner’s Blue Line Hockey and La Crosse Athletics, there was nothing Mark loved more than his family. Mark had many titles throughout his life such as son, brother, husband, dad, uncle, coach, friend, but everyone would agree that his favorite title of all was Papa. Mark’s favorite thing in life was spending time with his grandchildren.  He had a special relationship with each of his children and grandchildren, always making everyone feel incredibly special by never missing an opportunity to spend time with them and watch their sporting events.  Everyone who met Mark knew he was only a phone call away, always putting others before himself.

He is survived by his parents, George and Mary Wagner; eight children: Monica (Stephan) Davis, Amber (Mark) Kulig, Megan (Mason) Sedlacek, Emily (David) Kelbel, Jamal (Alexis) Wagner, Bryce, Hunter, and Eli Wagner; nine grandchildren, Graycen and Bryden Davis, Emma and Aly Kulig, Caleb and Kennedy Sedlacek, Brooks and Beckett Kelbel, and Jameson Wagner; one brother, Greg (Janell) Wagner, one sister, Pam (Paul) Kaus and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by Vickie Wagner, children, Benjamin and Brianna Wagner; brother, Jeff Wagner; niece Marta Wagner; grandparents Lester and Marie Wagner, Hugh and Elinor Boschert; and his father-in-law, Philip Thaldorf; and mother-in-law, Lois Thaldorf; and aunts and uncles.

A visitation will be held at the Onalaska Omni Center on Saturday, August 26th from 1:00-3:00pm. A service and Celebration of Life will follow. Please join us to share memories and stories in honor of Mark.

In lieu of flowers, all memorial funds will be used to build a memorial bench at the Onalaska Omni Center to honor Mark’s years of coaching and dedication to the hockey programs.