Elizabeth "Betty" Julia (Hallanger) Wagner

Psalm 121

A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

    where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the Lord,

    the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—

    he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, he who watches over Israel

    will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you—

    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day,

    nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—

    he will watch over your life;

8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going

    both now and forevermore.

********************************************

In Loving Memory of ...

            Elizabeth "Betty" Julia (Hallanger) Wagner, 81, of Cumming, Georgia, died on Friday, June 9, 2023, at Masalon Personal Care Home under the care of Ennoble Hospice.

            Elizabeth was born to Rev. Fredrick and Alvilde(Torvik) Hallanger, on Feb 5, 1942, at Lebanon, on the island of Madagascar, where her parents were Lutheran missionaries. She attended school in Madagascar, St. Paul, MN, Des Moines, IA, and studied at St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing in Davenport, IA,  after which she went to work as a Registered Nurse.  She began caring for patients in Davenport, where she married Cecil Stehr and Daniel was born(1964).  Their young family moved to Los Alamos, NM where she worked as a Nurse and where Susan was born(1966).  She continued her Nursing career as the family settled in Hutchinson, KS, working her way up to Charge Nurse and enjoying her time as a Recovery Room Nurse.

            In 1985 Elizabeth moved to work at Orthopedic Hospital in Tulsa, OK and while living there she met Paul Wagner, soon after which they moved to the Atlanta area.  Along with continuing her career as a Nurse where she cared deeply for those under her care, Elizabeth and Paul enjoyed exploring the North Georgia mountains and trips to the beach in Florida and Jamaica, which reminded her of her childhood growing up in Madagascar.  

            After her retirement from Nursing, due to issues with her health, Elizabeth continued to help other through volunteering with a local Literacy Program and while walking with her dog Ernie she worked to care for her community as "Ernie's Family".

            Time spent with her grandchildren was treasured by Gran E as she was known to them.  Wonderful memories were also made during family trips with her, Paul, her children and grandchildren, with several Thanksgiving week trips to Panama City Beach where all were able to spend time reconnecting and enjoying each other's company.  Other highlights were 2 Holiday trips to Crystal River(FL) to enjoy family time and the grandchildren swimming with the Manatees.   

            As she transitioned to Assisted Living, she eventually found a caring home at Masalon's Personal Care Home with loving caregivers who treated her with dignity and great tenderness, eventually passing away peacefully on the morning of June 9.

            Elizabeth is survived by sisters: Jane Sterret, Portland, OR; Agnes Griffen, Bellingham, WA; Helen(Homer) Stensrud, Effie, MN; Solveig(David) Westgard, St. Paul, MN.  A brother: Harold "Chris" (Jan) Hallanger, Northwood, ND.  A Son, Dan(Cathi) Stehr with granddaughters Olivia(Brandon) Lennon and Caroline Stehr.  A Daughter Susan(Ron) Embers, and grandsons Eric Embers and Cory Embers.

            Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; her parents; sisters, Anna, Eunice, and Phyllis Hallanger; brothers, Fred T. Hallanger and Erling T. Hallanger. 

Ingram Funeral Home, 210 Ingram Ave., Cumming, GA 30040 in charge of arrangements