Gwendolyn Marie Wagner

In Loving Memory of Gwendolyn WagnerWith heavy and sorrowful hearts, we announce the passing of Gwendolyn Wagner, who peacefully departed on Friday, August 11th. Gwendolyn, lovingly known as Gwen or Gwennie, was a woman of unparalleled and unwavering strength, compassion, and faith. Throughout her life, she touched the hearts of many, leaving an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to have known her. The youngest of eight siblings, Gwen was born to older parents, John and Celeste (Sally) Wagner, on December 15, 1961, in Watertown, SD. As the darling of her parents and community, Gwen developed confidence in her skills and abilities. She enhanced her interest in culinary arts by cooking dinner for her father every night. She honed her sales skills by regularly negotiating with her dad for candy money. Her entrepreneurial spirit developed from her paper route at the age of ten as she collected payments, socialized with adults, and loved every dog and cat she met on the way. Golf, basketball, and swimming led to a lifetime commitment to fitness. Her love and talent for music stemmed from playing the piano, trumpet, and organ, and she sang in school and church choirs. Gwen was a superb hostess, stemming from her parties galore in the infamous Wagner basement where friends sneaked treats, like Hydrox dessert, from the freezer, her parents' card parties where she served food, and Super Bowl parties where she would serve specially designed cakes. She carried her love for entertaining into adulthood. The children she babysat loved the games in which she engaged them. As she worked with her mother at the nursing home, she learned compassion for those who were compromised. Her love for family, friends, sales, pets, entertainment, sports, and music began early in life, only to be enhanced as she grew. After graduating from Augustana College in 1984, Gwen followed her sister Mary to Sacramento via a short stint in Phoenix. Gwen became an active member of St John's Church in Folsom and found a job in sales. She never imagined a cold-calling sales job for telephone systems would launch her into a lifelong sales career. She became a student of personality assessment tools such as Myers-Briggs, Enneagrams, and Strength Finders. Growing in her leadership skills, she left Sacramento in the late 1980s to work for PacTel in the Bay Area, where she became a sales trainer. Eventually, she took her well-honed skills in Sales Training and created her own successful business named Wagner Works. Gwen brought her personal self to all things business. Her very essence was curious, committed, clear, and kind. Gwen was a natural leader, an excellent communicator, and an advocating collaborator. Her colleagues and clients gained so much from knowing her and working with her. A profound turning point in Gwen's life occurred in her late 20s when she crossed paths with Keith Bloss, who became her husband of 30 years. They were married in 1993, settling in Livermore, California, before moving to Tracy, where they would reside from 1994 to 2009. As their marriage life grew, Keith marveled at the force of nature that was Gwen. Keith compared the journey to reaching the crest of an amazing rollercoaster and anticipating the thrill of what would come. He realized early on how committed Gwen was to family and relationships. Their love story was one of true partnership, built on a foundation of unyielding respect, support, and commitment. Gwen and Keith established an exceptional ability to communicate, relate, and share the ups and downs of life. Gwen loved Keith with a deep desire to see him flourish in his faith, friendships, family, and work. Gwen and Keith had a way of making each other laugh every day, employing impressions, quoting favorite movie lines, and surprising each other with witty remarks. Humor was their love language. In recent years they developed a knack for improv; Gwen spoke with Henrietta Chicken (voiced by Keith), a proper British stuffed puppet with a penchant for Muscatel. Later in their marriage, they enjoyed working and volunteering together, sharing roles in church events and business classes, and vacationing with family. Gwen and Keith's 30 year journey together was nothing short of remarkable. Their bond was a testament to the enduring and ever-growing power of love. Gwen mothered 2 children, first embracing her role as a stepmother to Keith's son, Stephen Bloss. Gwen embraced her role with grace and support towards Stephen. Her approach was characterized by positivity, open communication, patience, and leading by example. She created a safe, judgment-free home and fostered Stephen's sense of security and trust through gentle guidance and encouraging his work ethic. When Gwen founded Wagner Works, Stephen saw firsthand the challenges and rewards of self-employment. Beyond the home, Gwen integrated Stephen into the Wagner family, expanding his support network with numerous relatives and providing a deep sense of belonging and confidence. Her belief in his limitless potential resonated in every interaction, solidifying her commitment and regarding him as her own son. Four years into her marriage with Keith, she gave birth to their son, Jack Bloss. Gwen was constantly present throughout Jack's childhood, always supporting and encouraging his many endeavors, including soccer, baseball, and basketball. Whether attending or scorekeeping, Gwen always brought the loudest cheers, chanting, "Go Jacky Wacky!" Gwen instilled a strong work ethic in Jack, always encouraging him to fulfill his responsibilities and complete his assignments in school. Gwen's love for hosting impacted Jack through the gathering and intertwining of various friend groups over the years. Often, Jack invited his friends to these gatherings, and they quickly became closer to his mother than to him. Throughout his life, Gwen found countless opportunities to express her love for Jack through gifts, affirmations, letters, and sacrifices (such as offering to play 1 hour of Monopoly every year despite her deep hatred of the game). She loved any chance she had to spend with Jack. After Jack moved out, she always made sure the next opportunity to connect was on the calendar. Connection with her boys was one of her greatest joys. Jack and Stephen were both given the opportunity to flourish through Gwen's motherly love and guidance. Gwen's devotion to family started with each of her seven siblings. Their love for each other was unwavering and inspirational to all. The eight siblings got together over 40 times for family reunions, weddings, and assorted gatherings following Gwen's departure from her childhood home. Gwen cherished her standing family call once a month and weekly call with her sisters. Her nephews, nieces, and sons marveled at the relationship these eight siblings had and delighted in the chance to experience it at family reunions. Gwen's siblings were one of her dearest treasures, and her nieces and nephews were one of her greatest delights. Raised Catholic, Gwen had a constant curiosity for God. Gwen recalled being mysteriously struck with the realization that God is alive and everywhere one day while viewing a Magic Eye book. Her curiosity drove her further into a desire for a relationship with Jesus, supported by her friends and family. Following the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001, Gwen became involved at First Presbyterian Church in Tracy. After moving to Vancouver, Washington, in 2009, Gwen, Keith, and Jack became involved at East Woods Presbyterian Church. During this time, a book called "The Shack" by William Paul Young had a profound impact on her view of God, revealing a deeply personal and loving God who would meet her in her joys, sufferings, and shortcomings. East Woods Presbyterian Church fostered and flamed her expanding desire to serve Jesus. Gwen then found, in a profoundly tangible way, the unwavering, unfailing, expansive love of Jesus through the Walk to Emmaus. Gwen's response to anything impactful was to dive deeper into it and find ways to share it. She led classes and retreats at East Woods, employing a wide range of content from Bob Goff to Andy Griffith. She became the Worship Elder, the Youth Elder, and the manager of a full church remodel. She also became a Stephen's Minister, learning to walk closely with those experiencing hardship. She volunteered with Family Promise, CEDEPCA, Walk to Emmaus, Bridgetown Ministries, and many more local and international organizations. Gwen's passion for music was well-known to her family and friends, and she used it as a tool of vibrant expression. She loved to play the piano, a joy that was re-invigorated later in life. Gwen was involved in several choirs and sought out opportunities to lead worship services incorporating both hymns and contemporary songs at East Woods and the Walk to Emmaus. Gwen's expression through music was tied just as tightly to the artists to whom she listened. A typical Gwen playlist would include Earth, Wind, and Fire, Elton John, Chris Tomlin, John Denver, the Barenaked Ladies, Josh Groban, Pink Martini, Michael Buble, the Lumineers, David Crowder, and countless more. Always a marvelous host, Gwen ensured the perfect soundtrack was present for any gathering. A tradition that formed among her siblings was to write a song for each sibling on a decadal birthday. In her usual go-getter way, Gwen spearheaded this tradition, helping to pick the melody, write the lyrics, and, most importantly, hold the tune. The latest sibling song to be composed was for Gwen's 60th Birthday, written to the tune: "What a Wonderful World," retitled "What a Wonderful Girl." Along the common threads of connection and relationships woven through her life, Gwen was a woman who effortlessly maintained deep and meaningful connections with a staggering number of friends. Her ability to keep up with and nurture these friendships was awe-inspiring. Her circle of friends extended far and wide, a testament to her magnetic personality, genuine kindness, and sincere interest in the lives of others. Her far-reaching community is proof of the power she wielded in gathering people together in friendship. One cannot speak of Gwen without mentioning her love for animals. Growing up in South Dakota, she developed a life-long affinity for the bison, garnishing her home with bison décor and even imprinting her right forearm with a bison tattoo. Gwen and Keith's home was forever a safe haven for their many pet, which rarely numbered less than two at any time. Many of Gwen's pets were rescues or were given to her by friends or family who needed to find a new home for their furry loved one and knew Gwen and Keith's was the right place to send them. Gwen faithfully and lovingly cared for all her furry family members and converted many folks to see the value of pets. Gwen was the host of parties, the facilitator of learning and self-discovery, the creator and connector of friendships, the administrator of fun, the celebrator of birthdays and anniversaries, the glue and technological guru of her family, and the mother and mentor of many. She was a teacher, encourager, listener, and truth-teller. She was a sincere friend. She was a leader everywhere she went. Where things were stagnant, she initiated action. Where things were broken, she sought redemption. Where things were without hope, she brought light, laughter, and beauty. She radiated warmth, welcomed others with open arms, and created an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding. She loved youth, young adults, peers, and elders. She loved those on the streets and those at the top of the corporate ladder. She loved family, friends, and strangers. She was an emblem of the redemptive and restorative power of God which transcends the walls that often divide. Gwen Wagner's journey on this earth may have come to an end, but she lives on in the mystery of paradise after death. She leaves behind her beloved husband, Keith Bloss; her son, Jack Bloss (Jessie Bloss); her stepson, Stephen Bloss (Caleb Gray); her siblings, Robert (Bob) Wagner (Carol Wagner), Charles (Chuck) Wagner (Patti Wagner), Ralph Wagner (Debbie Wagner), John Wagner (Nancy Wagner), Jeanne Hewitt (Jim Hewitt), Mary Lambert (Jim Lambert), Julie Heiman (preceded in death by Jerry Heiman) and the many friends and family members who were touched by her grace. Gwen's love and legacy will continue to inspire us all. Rest in peace, dear Gwen. You are a shining example of the beauty that love, compassion, and faith can bring to the world. Your absence leaves a void that can never be filled, and your memory will live on in those who knew you. The joy you brought us will forever resonate in our hearts. May you delight in all that you experience on the other side of death. We will see you there. Gwen's Celebration of Life was held on September 16th. The recording of the service can be found at jackbloss.com/gwen.

Gwendolyn Marie Wagner

December 15, 1961 - August 11, 2023