Obituary of Rosalie Wagner

Born in Denver on December 21, 1940 to Harry and Sarah Wagner, Rosalie was 84 and passed on June 2, 2025. She came from humble roots and lived a long life devoted to community service.

Her father died when Rosie was just seven and her brother Abe was twelve. At that time, her mother had to work, they did not have much money, and the three of them lived in a dangerous neighborhood. Given that Abe went to school with children from The National Home For Jewish Children, Sarah and Abe decided that "the Home" would be a good solution for him and Rosie. They lived there for six years. They were extremely close then and remained so for their entire lives.

Abe worked at The Jewish Community Center part-time while he went to school at the University of Denver. At that time, The Center was looking for a part-time worker to help with a fundraising campaign. That is when Rosie started her 54-year, very successful career there.

Rosie was a Jane of all trades while at The Center. She held many office positions. Whenever a question arose that people could not answer, the phrase "Call Rosie" was usually uttered, for she knew who to call. She knew more than a hundred Center members, staff, and the myriad of people who did business with The Center. Rosie ultimately became the Center’s Head Bookkeeper. She was caring and competent and loved her job and the people associated with it.

The management of The Center certainly recognized her importance to the institution and honored her at their Annual Dinner, marking her 50th year there. There were more than 500 in attendance.

She retired in her 54th year at The Center and spent the rest of her life with her family and many friends. She was devoted to her brother Abe and his sons, as well as her half-brothers Sam and Irving Israel.

Rosie is survived by her brother Abe, his wife Susan Friedman, her nephews David, Daniel, and Douglas Wagner, Cliff Erickson, Larry and David Israel, Douglas’s partner Renee Stocker, Larry’s partner Angela Marie, her adopted grandson Nathan Biggs, his Mother Amanda Biggs, as well as Rosie's closest friends (and there were many). She was a valued member of the Denver Jewish community and very much loved by those who knew her best. Rosie will be remembered as a genuinely kind, giving, and loving person who devoted her life to her community. She will be greatly missed.

Service, Thursday, June 5th. The interment will precede the memorial service at 2:00pm, Rose Hill Cemetery. The Memorial Service and livestream is scheduled for 3:30pm at Temple Sinai, a reception will immediately follow at Temple Sinai. The Memorial Service will be streamed on Temple Sinai's website. -click here for livestream link. 

Anyone interested in making a gift of remembrance in her name should please consider making a donation to the JCC Ranch Camp Scholarship Fund of the Jewish Community Center in Denver at: https://give.jccdenver.org/campaign/627491/donate.