Nora Mae Wagaman

Nora Mae (Fitzgerald) Wagaman was born in Toledo, Ohio, on October 1, 1931, to Thomas and Genevieve Fitzgerald.

After graduating from high school in Detroit, Michigan, Nora attended and graduated from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. She excelled academically and was elected president of the Phi Phi Phi Sorority. While attending Stephens, she met John Wagaman Jr. They married on September 9, 1953, and moved to Lamar, Missouri. They were married for 63 years. John passed away in 2017.

Nora and John were blessed with three children: Shirley, John, and Elizabeth. Nora was devoted to her faith and her family.

She was outstanding at managing household finances and was a wonderful role model. The family enjoyed her home cooking, including Sunday dinners of fried chicken, homemade biscuits, and everyone’s favorite—chocolate meringue pie.

She was a lifelong reader with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Even into her late 80s, she continued to learn and use the latest technology. Nora was a devout and knowledgeable Christian.

Nora is survived by her children, Shirley Beer (Mike Joyce )of Pittsburg, Kansas; John Wagaman III (Kathy) of Nixa, Missouri; and Elizabeth Park (Bert) of Joplin, Missouri; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at Lake Cemetery on Friday December 19, 2025 at 1:00 PM.