Sam and Elda (Schlegel) Wagler

Sam Wagler was born in 1932 on a farm in South Easthope Township, the son of Samuel and Emma (Iutzi) Wagler. He had four brothers and one sister. Deitsch was the first language of the Wagler family, who were members of the East Zorra Amish Mennonite Church. Sam attended the Burnside Public School until the age of 14, when he stayed at home to work on the farm. Later he worked as a hired man on various farms and drove a milk truck. 

Elda Wagler was born in 1933, the daughter of Ezra and Violet (Zehr) Schlegel. She had three sisters and one brother. Deitsch was the first language of her home. Elda attended S.S. No. 7, Facey’s Public School, and graduated from grade 8. Elda and Sam met at church and were married in 1956. They had two sons and two daughters. They operated a dairy farm for 39 years and attended the Cassel Mennonite Church, where Sam was a song leader. They retired to Tavistock in 1995 and moved to the Nithview retirement community in 2020. Elda enjoyed volunteering at the MCC New Hamburg Thrift Centre, gardening, and quilt making. In 2022 Elda passed away at the age of 89.