Carolyn K. Wagner

Carolyn Kay Wagner

October 4, 1944 – July 17, 2024

Dancing through life’s ups and downs with cherished friends, family, animals, and her husband, Carolyn Wagner (née Conrad), aged 79 of Burlington, KY passed away surrounded by her loving family on July 17, 2024. Carolyn was born and raised in Lancaster, OH to the late William H. L. Conrad Sr. and Lila Rose Conrad (née Cly). Carolyn was the youngest of eight children, and as such, was an adventurous child who loved spending time on her family’s dairy farm and helping in their grocery store.

Carolyn attended Ohio University and was a second and third grade teacher for 32 years. After suffering the unexpected loss of her first husband, Michael W. Cockrell, Carolyn was fortunate to meet her second soulmate, Willis Wagner at a single’s dance in 1974. Celebrating 45 years of happy marriage, Carolyn and Willis traveled frequently and enjoyed dancing together as much as they could. They amassed wonderful friends throughout various greater Cincinnati community senior dances.

Carolyn is preceded in death by her parents, William H. L. Conrad Sr. and Lila Rose Conrad (née Cly); her brothers, William Conrad Jr., Robert Conrad, Grant Conrad, Francis Conrad, and Gary Conrad; her sister, Patricia Conrad; and her first husband, Michael W. Cockrell. She is survived by her husband, Willis Wagner; her daughter, Wendy Cockrell Niehauser (Greg); her stepdaughter, Tangela Wagner; her sister, Mary Reedy; her brother-in-law, Keith Wagner; her grandchildren, Kelsey Niehauser (Dana Langenbrunner), Elaine Niehauser, and Isaac (Lexi) Kellenbarger; her great grandson, Waylon Kellenbarger; and her many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. Carolyn also had a special place in her heart for her Amazon parrot companion of 35 years, Cracker.

A visitation will be held at Linnemann Funeral Home (1940 Burlington Pike, Burlington, KY 41005) from 10am to 12pm on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, immediately followed by a Funeral Service at the funeral home. A reception will follow the funeral service and take place at the Linnemann Funeral Home Burlington Reception Center. A separate burial service will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery in Lancaster, OH on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Dearborn Senior Center would be appreciated. A link to donate can be found at dearbornadultcenter.org.