Express pioneer, Wagner, passes away

     On Sept. 22, The Monticello Express family lost a trailblazer…

   Betty J. Wagner, or as she became known in her weekly opinion pieces “B.J.W.,” passed away in New Mexico. She was born on March 4, 1936, in Higginsville, Mo.

   Wagner’s history with the Express is monumental, as was her life in journalism and civic service.

   In August 1960, she graduated with a BA in English from the University of Central Missouri. Just a few weeks later, it was announced in the Aug. 18, 1960, Express that she was hired as a reporter/photographer. The article went on to note her “honors for reporting and writing” for her college newspaper and other publications.

   Just a year later, Wagner was promoted to news editor.

   “The distinction of being one of the first of her sex to become news editor in the Midwest was earned by Betty Wagner…,” read the Sept. 7, 1961, Express. “Miss Wagner will have charge of all news and photos that appear in the Express, and will supervise two society reporters and 14 rural area correspondents.”

   In May 1968, Wagner was promoted again to editor.

   An article in the Oct. 21, 1971, Express also praised Wagner of her accomplishments: “By May of 1969, she was one of the few women editors of a prize-winning community newspaper in the State of Iowa.

   Later that year, in December 1971, it was announced that three Express departments heads (Wagner, editor; Bob Goodyear, production superintendent; and Ken Moats, business manager) would assume management of the company.

   In 1974, Wagner was named co-publisher, along with Bob Goodyear, when she bought a third of the interest in the newspaper.

   During her years with the Express, she was instrumental is receiving over 200 awards from the Iowa Newspaper Association.

   Throughout Wagner’s years in Monticello, she became immensely active in the community: Camp Courageous, Starlighters II Community Theatre (she was one of the founders in 1974), Monticello BPW (Business and Professional Women), GMC (Greater Monticello Committee), Monticello Chamber of Commerce, among others.

   In 1961, Wagner was named “Woman of the Week” by the BPW. The Oct. 12, 1961, Express article noted the honor was presented “to a woman who is outstanding in career achievement and community service.”

   In 1972, Wagner accepted the Governor’s Leadership Award on behalf of the GMC. Governor Robert Ray presented the award himself.

   Throughout her life, Wagner continued to serve various professional organizations: Iowa Federation of Business, Iowa Press Women, Iowa Business and Professionals, Texas Press Women, International Association of Business Communicators, Women in Communications, and United Way of Eastern New Mexico.

   She was the recipient of 79 state and national journalism awards, and 24 business communications awards.

   On Sept. 15, 1980, Wagner stepped away from the Express and moved to Texas. Her final editorial appeared in the Sept. 10, 1980, Express.

   “Saying goodbye isn’t easy and when you are on the ‘going’ side, it is even more difficult.”

   Wagner shared a story of a local resident telling her, “Monticello certainly has been good to you. Of course, you have been good to Monticello.”

   “Certainly, I have tried to do my best,” she wrote. “My parting wish is that I have left some sort of mark so that my endeavors here have not been wasted. As a matter of fact, I feel that I have married to the Express for the past 20 years. My life has centered on the newspaper and the community. Even as I leave, a part of me will remain behind…a part of my heart and spirit will forever belong to the Express and to Monticello.”

   Wagner retired from working in 2001. She moved to Clovis, N.M., in 2004, where she remained until her passing.

   Charlie Becker, CEO of Camp Courageous, shared his memories and praise of Wagner’s service: “Betty immediately hit it off on the Camp board with Dotty Cummins, both among Camp’s first board members, and both having a very strong journalism background.”

   Wagner designed and printed Camp’s first editions of the “Courier,” their monthly newsletter.

   “Even though Betty left Monticello in 1980, she never stopped supporting Camp Courageous,” continued Becker. “Betty Wagner was truly a lifetime advocate for Camp Courageous and she leaves a wonderful legacy in the history of Camp!”