Irene Rose (Cluts) Wagner, 93 of Sioux Falls died Thursday, March 3, 2016 at Trail Ridge Retirement Center. On-Line Condolences may be left at Heritage Funeral Home.

Irene Cluts was born August 27, 1922 in Willow Lake, SD the daughter of John and Mildred (Glines) Cluts. She lived in Vienna, SD until 1937 when she and her family moved to Dell Rapids, SD. She graduated from Dell Rapids High School in 1940. She played and sang with the Doll Cluts Melody Girls until 1942. She was united in marriage to Russell Wagner on January 1, 1942 and they started their life together in Sioux Falls.

Irene and Russ were blessed with four children, Steven, Betty, Judy and Virginia. She worked for Montgomery Wards as a credit clerk for 15 years. She served as a Girl Scout leader and youth counselor at First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls, making work camp trips to California and North Carolina, Irene sang in the choir at First United Methodist Church from 1942 – 1979. Irene and Russ moved to Winter Haven, Florida when Russ retired in 1979 and lived there until 1999. While in Florida they attended St. Johns Church where she sang in the choir and she audited courses at Florida Southern University and the University of South Florida. She also participated in the CASA program as guardians of homeless children and in 17 Elder Hostels throughout the United States and Canada. She and Russ travelled extensively thought the United States and Europe.

In 2000 they returned to live in Dell Rapids for eight years and then moved to Sioux Falls where they have resided at Trail Ridge Retirement Center.

Grateful for having shared her life are: her husband, Russell and two daughters, Judy (Frank) Rebnord of Little Falls, MN and Virginia Hoeppner of Scotia, NY; and three grandchildren, Tim Rebnord, Tony Rebnord and Holly Hoeppner and six great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and two children, Steven and Betty.

A memorial service will begin at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at First United Methodist Church with a private family burial preceding the service. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8:00 pm Monday at Heritage Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be sent to Asera Care Hospice, 528 North Sycamore Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57110.