Myrna Francine Wirsig, 89, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and the caring staff at Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri on Tuesday, December 24, 2024.
Myrna was blessed with a large and loving family. She was one of seven children of Tom and Gladys Beebe and was raised in Coal and Clinton, Missouri. Upon graduating from Clinton High School in 1953, she was selected to work for the FBI in Washington DC as an intern. She married Donald E. Wagoner on April 9, 1954 and had four children, Donald Edwin, Jr., Karen Sue, Cynthia Rae, and Jeffrey Lee. Myrna and her family moved to Lebanon, Oregon in 1959, where they lived until returning home to Clinton in 1971. Myrna worked for US Plywood in Lebanon, Oregon and Golden Valley Memorial Hospital and the Henry County Clerk’s Office in Clinton. She was also a member of the Women’s Auxiliary and the Deepwater Presbyterian Church. In November 1977, Myrna’s husband, Donald Wagoner, died after 23 years of marriage.
Myrna was blessed to have Donald Wirsig come into her life, and they married on November 14,1993. She was dearly loved by Donald’s children and grandchildren. Donald and Myrna were happily married for twenty-one years. Don passed away in August 2014.
Myrna and Don Wirsig loved to travel, driving throughout the western United States by car so that Don, an avid history buff, could stop at museums and points of interest along the way. They visited their children and grandchildren in Texas, Tennessee, New York, Colorado and California. They traveled to Spain in 1993 for Jeff and Pilar’s wedding. She traveled to Las Vegas for special occasions such as her 75th and 80th birthdays. She also enjoyed playing games and going to casinos with family and friends where she would irk some of the other patrons by loudly celebrating her wins. Myrna wore her red and gold proudly as she cheered on her favorite team, the Kansas City Chiefs. She lived for her family and loved attending her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting and school events. She enjoyed having pets during her lifetime and had a special place in her heart for her current cat, Sadie. She remained close to her lifelong best friend, Bonnie (Hunter) Slaybaugh, stepping out to lunch with her just a few weeks ago. Myrna had a great sense of humor and always had quick-witted comments. When faced with challenges, such as being a single mother, Myrna was resilient and optimistic. She will be truly missed by her loved ones.
Myrna was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Gladys, her first husband, Donald E. Wagoner, and by her second husband, Donald C. Wirsig. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Barbara Long and Doris Bray, and by her brother, Jerry Beebe.
She is survived by her son, Donnie Wagoner (Shelley) of Clinton, Missouri, daughter Karen Peel (Dan) of Flower Mound, Texas, daughter Cindy Whitney (Pete) of Allen, Texas, and son Jeff Wagoner (Pilar) of Overland Park, Kansas. She is also survived by her thirteen grandchildren, Lance, Leslie, Jill, Spencer, Madison, Jessica, Erin, Jamie, Stephanie, Neil, Alex, Max, and Sofia, as well as by her fourteen great-grandchildren, Natalie, Caroline, Leah, Lana, Lane, Briley, Brook, Elsie, Edwin, Wyatt, Nora, Coraline, Carter, and Parker. She is also survived by her stepson, Brent Wirsig, his wife, Dixie, and their children Chad, Kelly, and Trevor and stepdaughter, Beth Holt, her husband, Max and their children Seth, Zach, Ruby, Chloe, and Adam. Myrna is also survived by three siblings, Tommy Beebe (Sally), Robert Beebe (Evelyn), and Martha Peck (Dewey).
Memorial services were held December 28, 2024 at the Vansant-Mills Chapel, Clinton, MO with Robert Robbins officiating. Special music included “Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art.” Inurment followed In Englewood Cemetery, Clinton, MO.
Services were under the direction of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, MO.
