Mrs. Wilma L. Fagan, age 95, of Adair, IA, passed away on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at Community Care Center in Stuart, IA.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, October 03, 2026, at St. John Catholic Church in Adair, IA, with Fr. Antony Mathew as the Celebrant. Interment will take place at St. John Catholic Cemetery south of Adair following the Mass. A luncheon will be held following the committal at the Adair Community Center.
Public visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to the Mass on Saturday at the Church in Adair.
Memorials may be directed to the Wilma Fagan Family, as they will be designated at a later date in her memory. They may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.
Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Adair is entrusted with the arrangements.
Wilma L. Cave Fagan was born on March 22, 1931, in Stuart, Iowa, to Clyde Cave and Faye Bassett Cave. She was the second born of three daughters. Raised on a family farm north of Stuart, she attended country school until the second grade before completing her education in Stuart.
After high school, Wilma began working and, for fun, would visit the Stuart Skating Rink with her friends. It was at this skating rink that she met her sweetheart, Philip Fagan.
On August 18, 1951, Philip and Wilma married at All Saints Catholic Church in Stuart. After their wedding, the couple relocated to Alexandria, Virginia, where Philip was stationed in Washington, D.C. during the Korean War. Wilma began working at the AAA office where she walked past the White House on her way to work. Wilma returned to Iowa to be close to family and gave birth to their daughter, Joan, on November 11, 1952. The nurse sent a telegram to President Truman, “Irish baby girl born on Armistice Day”. The White House relayed the good news to Phil.
After serving in the army, Phil and Wilma moved to a farm north of Adair. Then later moved to a farm south of Adair and made it their permanent home. In 1955, they welcomed their son, Tom. At this farm, they built a fulfilling life, raising their children, farming, and creating cherished memories with their grandchildren. They lived here until 2013 and then moved to Adair.
Wilma worked at the Exchange State Bank for many years. Over the years, they enjoyed spending time with family, friends, and neighbors. They hosted and attended many card parties. They traveled to Switzerland, Germany, Hawaii, and several cruises with Gene and Kathleen. After her retirement, she enjoyed her grandchildren and their activities. She was a member of the St. John’s Altar and Rosary Society and especially enjoyed her friends at the Willing Workers Club.
Wilma will always be remembered as a loving wife of 75 years and a wonderful mother and grandmother.
She is survived by her husband Philip Fagan, daughter Joan Lents, son Tom (Nita) Fagan; Grandchildren: Trista (Mark) Emgarten, Lindsay Skram, Lou McQueen, Jason (Jen) Fagan, Rob McQueen, Marcus (Stefany) Fagan, Katie (Taylor) Wheatley; Great Grandchildren: Macy, Cash, and Reece Emgarten, Cole (Cheinie) Reha, Thomas, William, and Brady Skram, Mason, Dash, and Jax McQueen, Avrie, Rush, Kruz, and August Fagan Monroe, Nixon, and Lettie Fagan, and Dallas Wheatley.
