Michael “Mike” Stephen Wagner died from complications of IPF (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) after spending a small fortune on drugs to fight the disease. Mike passed away on April 30th at home surrounded by loved ones.
Mike was born in Great Falls, MT on 4/1/48; he blamed his mother for making him an April Fool. His sister Nancy was born 12/15/41, making them “pre + post war babies”.
His parents Nile Wagner and Maxine Stephens resided in Cut Bank, MT where his father and uncle Stan Wagner owned and operated Mr. Wagner Drilling Co. When Mike was 5, his father took one of their two rigs to Poplar, MT to do wildcat drilling for oil in the Williston Basin. After one summer in Poplar, the family moved to Wolf Point where they remained until 1965 when Mike, Maxine, and his stepfather moved to Flaxville, MT where they became the new owners of Mike’s Bar.
Mike went to Montana State University until his draft lottery number was called (lucky #32). He was a medic working as a supply clerk, almost as good as Radar O’Reilly (at least according to Mike). After 20 months of active duty, Mike was told to go home with full benefits or re-enlist for 3 years. The choice was clear to him, so he left Texas to return to MSU to major in History, with plans of going to Law School.
Shortly after returning to college, Mike started dating Judy – by far his best decision ever (his boys agree). They were married 6/16/1973 and graduated the next year; Judy with a BSN in Nursing and Mike receiving a degree in American History. Mike worked the system, using all his electives and taking extra classes to pass the CPA exam – pretty much unheard of for someone without an accounting degree!
Mike and Judy then moved to Washington DC where Mike worked for the CIA from April 1974-1976 and Judy worked as a nurse at a private hospital. While Mike never shared the exact details of his work, he said that if he told us, he’d “have to take us out”. We’re pretty sure he did covert tax, but I guess no one will know for sure.
After two years, they decided to return to Montana. There, Mike joined Blue Cross Blue Shield, working in Great Falls and Helena, retiring after 30 years as CFO and VP of Government Services. Mike made a lot of good friends and cherished the shared experiences with his BCBS gang.
Mike served on several boards including TriWest Healthcare Alliance, Northern Plains Alliance, and Western States Insurance Agency. Once you got to know him, most would call him fair, intelligent, hardworking and always a blast to hang out with during business trips. He was also honest and known for being a tad blunt and not one to sugar coat his words.
Mike often helped others navigate the healthcare system to get the treatment they needed. Mike’s career focused on helping those in need, whether it was Medicaid for people with limited resources, Medicare for older people, or children. One of his greatest accomplishments was getting the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHiP) implemented to ensure that all children in Montana have access to health insurance.
Mike and Judy also established an endowment at Montana State University to help students who need financial assistance (4 annual scholarships: 2 for nursing, 1 for history, 1 for the library). They were also frequent donors to the library, as they saw it as a resource used by most students but often forgotten by donors who tend to support specific colleges.
Mike was a caring and dedicated parent who helped his children in any way, including attending sporting events and always offering a helping hand. He raised his sons to be competitive, never letting them win in billiards. He adored his grandchildren who raved about his pancakes, baseball, boating, and loved to go sledding with Papa in the winter.
One thing that Mike didn’t do was wear hats or sing. Not for anybody. Ever.
Mike enjoyed his retirement traveling to New York, Las Vegas, and visiting his children and grandchildren. Mike and Judy spent extended winters relaxing in Maui, watching the beautiful sunsets. If Mike wasn’t snorkeling, he was probably playing blackjack, waterskiing, or sharing jokes on his infamous email thread. Mike taught himself to waterski and continued until his late sixties. Mike cherished the extended time with his two adult sons, Judd and Mick, and his grandkids during his last years.
He is survived by his loving wife Judy, his sons Judd (Catherine) and Mick (Hannah), his sister Nancy (Duane), his grandchildren Devon, Hunter, and Jayse. Mike held a special place in his heart for his extended North Dakota and Montana families, especially his niece Lauri, his nephew Donnie, and their families. They will miss his great sense of humor and wonderful guidance.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12 p.m. on Thursday, May 12th at the Cathedral of St. Helena. Burial with Military Honors will follow the Mass at Resurrection Cemetery. A reception will follow the burial at the Lewis and Clark Brewery, 1517 Dodge Ave.
Mike’s family asks that anyone wishing to send their condolences please make donations to the IPF Foundation so that others will not have to experience the debilitating effects of IPF.
Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Mike.
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
12 p.m.
Thursday May 12, 2022
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
Following the Mass
Thursday May 12, 2022
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
2:30 p.m.
Thursday May 12, 2022
Lewis and Clark Brewery
1517 Dodge Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
12 p.m.
Thursday May 12, 2022
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
Following the Mass
Thursday May 12, 2022
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
2:30 p.m.
Thursday May 12, 2022
Lewis and Clark Brewery
1517 Dodge Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
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wayne j stein says
Mike was one of the nicest guys I have ever met, and he was my friend.
John Trovatten says
So sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. I worked for Mike for several years at BCBS of Montana, and knew him to be a very smart guy, and a worthy mentor. My sincere condolences to Judy and family.
Tom McKinney says
Rest in peace Mike. Years ago, I enjoyed watching the Vigilante Parade with you. You were a true credit to the healthcare profession.
John Cherie Dahl says
Mike was a friend from our days working at BC/BS. Thoughts and prayers go out to the family 🙏
Phyllis Iwen Torpy says
Will always remember Mike when we were kids. Sorry to hear of his passing. In Gods Hands Phyllis Iwen Torpy
David Arndt says
I was saddened to hear of Mike’s passing. I remember him well, going up with him in Wolf Point. Condolences to the family.
Amberly Pahut & Jared Maloney says
We are so sad to hear of Mike’s passing. You have been great neighbors & friends to our parents. Mike will surely be missed.
Sonja Buus says
I worked for Mike for many years at BCBS. He was such an honest caring person. Funny too, and he still sent me jokes via email. His passing was a shock as I did not know he was ill. I pray for Judy and the kids. Keep all those great memories close to your hearts and he’ll always be with you.
Bob & Louie Young says
Our condolences to Judy and family. Enjoyed working with Mike for many years at BCBS and spending family time water skiing on the Mighty Mo together. Rest in Peace friend.
Dave Pfeifle says
I worked with and for Mike for several years at BCBSMT. He was my “boss” but more important my mentor. He was one of the most intelligent people I have ever known. I will miss his emailed jokes as I used to forward many of them to friends that enjoyed them a lot. My condolences to Judy and the family. Rest in peace Mike.
Chuck says
My condolences to Judy and the Wagner family.
Lee Roath says
Oh my so very sad for the family and Judy. A great friend and healthcare mentor. May he Rest In Peace.
Don Smith says
I recently learned of Mike’s passing from a former colleague of Mike’s at Blue Cross Blue Shield who was visiting a new neighbor of mine here at Swan Lake, a neighbor who is also affiliated with Blue Shield.
In the early eighties we lived on Delmar in Great Falls just up the street from the Wagners. Both Mike and I had just both bought new boats and were anxious to water ski on the river. Since we both had boats we had to take turns using them as we skied together. Mike has a unique and intelligent personality. I remember that he had worked for the CIA on Tax returns. He was in great shape, lifted weights and only drank Olympia Gold Light beer. We had good times skiing on the Missouri river. I moved to Phoenix in 1983 and at some point Mike transferred to Helena (my home town) Through snippets of information from the old neighborhood I learned a little about Mike’s successful career with Blue Cross and that in recent years he had developed some health problems. Still it was a shock to learn that Mike had passed away very recently. We give our heartfelt condolences to Judy and the family.