Wagner, Eileen Faye

April 22 1966 – May 13 2026 

Eileen Faye Wagner, lover of chips, fierce card player, joyful competitor, devoted nurse, and loving mother, sister, daughter, friend, and wife, passed on May 13th, 2026 surrounded by close family and friends.  The youngest of three sisters, Eileen was born on April 22nd, 1966 to parents Elmer and Irene Thiessen in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She grew up in the small town of Unity, Saskatchewan enjoying crocus hunting, camping, riding her bike, ballet, and passing summers as a life guard at the local pool.

Her love of community and connection started young, spending time with beloved cousins and friends, many of these friendships continued throughout the rest of her life.  A natural caretaker, Eileen went on to attend the Kelsey Institute of Technology, completing her Bachelor of Nursing in 1987.  Along with her husband Murray, Eileen moved to Red Deer Alberta in 1991 and began her thirty-five year career as a Registered Nurse. Thirty of those years were spent at the Central Alberta Cancer Center where she eventually moved into the role of nurse educator.  She loved her work and found fulfillment in the many people she was able to care for, connect with, and mentor throughout her time at the cancer center.  Her ability to empathize and bring joy to those around her uplifted the lives of her patients and created meaningful, lasting bonds with her coworkers.

Upon moving to Red Deer, Eileen and Murray made close connections with other families in their West Park community and started attending Sunnybrook United Church where they would form some of their most cherished friendships.  Eileen loved being involved in her community and church, taking on choir and Youth Group leadership roles as well as other volunteer opportunities.

Eileen excelled at many things; swimming, curling, golf (activities of almost all kinds!), games, laughing and dancing, reading, singing, eating and making delicious food, playing her mandolin, and pointing out beautiful sunsets.  She did not excel at wallowing, planning everything to a T, holding a grudge, or sitting still. She loved anything that facilitated bringing people together to spend quality time but above all she loved being a mom.  “There’s nothing like it,” she would often say, especially as she welcomed her first grandchild Ollie into the world in 2026.  Her love for her family was always evident and she took joy in planning birthday parties with customized cakes, organizing trips, and documenting everyone’s achievements and milestones with many photos and videos.

Eileen didn’t slow down with age and stayed adventurous and vibrant, travelling with friends and family to Europe, New Zealand, and Mexico, as well as celebrating her 35th wedding anniversary and 60th birthday.  She is survived by her loving husband, Murray Wagner, as well as her three children, Sarah Wagner, Matthew Wagner (Kylie), and Elizabeth Schumacher (Nick), and grandchild Oliver Schumacher.

She is also survived by her two sisters, Donna Cook (Don) and Lynn Anderson (Scott), her mother, Irene Thiessen-Campbell, and an incredible number of close-friends. She was predeceased by her father Elmer Thiessen and step-father Silas Campbell.

A memorial service will be held on June 6th at 2:00 pm at Sunnybrook United Church. A live-stream of the service will be available via Sunnybrook United Church’s website (https://www.sunnybrookunited.org/blog).

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alberta Cancer Foundation may be made via their website (https://albertacancer.ca/donate/).

We love you mum, forever and always.

• Date : 2026-05-13
• Location : Eventide Funeral Home, www.eventidefuneralhome.ca