Gerald Wagner, 94, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away on Feb. 6, 2025. He was born September 19, 1930, to Edward and Louise (Schmelzer) Wagner in Maplewood. Gerald attended Maplewood School, and graduated from Algoma High School in 1947 at the age of 16. After working for his father for a few years, he took over the family business, Wagner’s Market in Maplewood. Gerald was called to serve his country in the US Army, serving in the combat zones during the Korean War. After the war, he returned to his business in Maplewood and married Carol Ann Brozek on July 23, 1955 in Casco. Later in life, he was honored to join fellow veterans on an Old Glory Honor Flight to Washington D.C. Gerald sold the market in 1967 and embarked on a significant job change. Giving up cutting meat, he became a successful stockbroker and life/health insurance agent. He eventually concentrated on his financial planning career, working well into his 70’s before retiring from Associated Bank. Aside from seminars and short courses, he was able to accomplish this with no formal education beyond his high school diploma. One such seminar was held at Purdue University, which gave him the ability to “casually” mention that he was an alumnus there. Outside of work, he was well known in Door County for baseball. He played in various leagues in the area, predominantly for Maplewood in the Door County League. He started at the age of 15, playing for his father Ed. He was part of the inaugural class to be inducted into the Door County Baseball Hall of Fame, followed a few years later by his father. After the armistice was signed in Korea, he did play with his unit’s baseball team. That led to a minor league contract offer from the Cleveland Indians, but he chose to come back to his business in Maplewood instead. He was a past member of the Door County Board, former chairman of the Town of Forestville, and was the first president of the Forestville/Maplewood Lions Club upon its charter. He was a member of St Peter’s Lutheran Church of Forestville. His other life interests and hobbies included traveling with Carol, hunting, fishing, playing the role of “Top Chef” for all family gatherings, cheering on the Packers and Badgers, going on adventures with Tony Schlise, and golf. He continued deer hunting with his boys into his 80’s and was always in charge of processing the deer after successful hunts. Friends of his will confirm his status as a world-class storyteller. Later in life, he took great pride in being Grandpa-Great to his three “Bumpsers”, providing an array of treats each time they visited. Survivors include Carol, his wife of 69 years, two sons, Tom (Tammy) Wagner and Jerry (Tracy) Wagner, two grandchildren, Chris Wagner and Carrie (Cody) DeClark, three great-grandchildren, Joslyn, Johana and Liam DeClark, sister-in-law Sally Wagner, nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law William and Agnes (Opicka) Brozek, sister Jean (Eldor) Eggert, brother William Wagner, infant brother Charles Wagner and brother-in-law Bill (Betty) Brozek. A private family service will be conducted with military honors at the Forbes Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay. Burial will be in the Forestville Town Cemetery. The family would like to send sincere thanks to the staffs of Pine Crest Village in Sturgeon Bay and Unity Hospice for the excellent care and support they provided Gerald and the entire family. Memorials in his name can be sent to Old Glory Honor Flight, PO Box 482, Menasha, WI 54952 and/or JAKs Place, 1623 Rhode Island St. Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235.