Date of Death: December 11, 2020
Service Details
Per Aija’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A private family service will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Three Rivers.
Obituary Notice
Aija Wagner, age 78, of Three Rivers, Michigan, sadly passed away on December 11, 2020 at her home. She was born in Riga, Latvia, on December 31, 1941, the daughter of Leon and Velta (Jirgensons) Boze. Three years later, Leon and Velta were divorced. Velta married Alfreds Ozolins. At the age of 9, Aija came to America from war-torn Latvia with her parents, grandmother Minna “Omite” Jirgensons and baby brother John “Ozzy” Ozolins. As immigrants, they came through Ellis Island to start a new life in Cadillac, Michigan then moved to Kalamazoo, where Aija was raised, and graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School.
She graduated from Cosmetology School, and was working as a beautician, when she met Michigan State Police trooper Robert Wagner. They married in 1966. Through the years, Robert and Aija owned several businesses, including Bob’s Bar in Walkerton, Indiana and later, Frankie’s Restaurant and Triple Creek Convenience Store, in Three Rivers. They did their share of traveling with trips to Arizona, Australia, Hawaii, Mexico, and spent a few years of semi-retirement in the Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina.
Aija is survived by her husband of 54 years, Robert; her son Rodney (Sherri) Wagner of Three Rivers; Grandchildren Evelyn “Evie” Aija Wagner, Gabrielle “Ella” Aija Wagner, and Darrell “Billy” Robert Wagner; her brother Maris (Jane) Boze and extended family in Victoria, Australia; her brother John “Ozzy” (Mara) Ozolins of Tonto Basin, Arizona; her sister Ange Jirgensons, and her brother Victor Ozolins, both of Three Rivers; several nieces, nephews, in-laws, special friends, and fur babies: Miss Kitty, Patches, Tinsel and Milo.
Aija was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Courtney Lynn Wagner and her brother Valdis “Bun” Ozolins.
Aija loved to read, kept up with her Soap Operas, and had a special talent for floral gardening and interior decorating. She was an exceptional cook and was famous for hosting parties and family gatherings. She loved to relax on the back deck, enjoying an awesome view of her lake home.
Aija was known as a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, best aunt ever, and favorite sister. She always thought of others before herself and will be remembered for her caring heart and beautiful smile.
Additional Information
Memorial contributions may be directed in Aija’s name to:
Heartland Hospice Care
8075 Creekside Dr.
Suite 120
Portage, MI 49024
Please Leave Your Condolences
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I am so sorry four you’re loss she was a good woman she Showed me stuff and you all were best with my husband Aaron n Michele Shelly metzger May god be with at this time need any thang dount be afraid to call
Bob and Rodney,
So sorry for you loss.
It’s been many years but some of my best times were baby sitting the kids in Walkerton.
Your family are treasured memories.
My heart goes out to you both
Kristie Krick-Anderson
I am so very sorry for your loss. Aija was a big part of my life growing up. My memories of her are many. She was so nice and she was always so caring and kind hearted. I so loved spending time with her. Bob and Rodney your are in my thoughts and prayers.
Bob, Rodney and family, Our deepest condolences to all of you at this time. Aija was a lovely person inside and out and always so pleasant to be around. She will be missed.
Bob, Rodney and family,
We were so sorry to hear of Aija’s passing. It has been many years since all of the good times at Bob’s Bar and Frankie’s that all of us enjoyed so much. Aija had a big heart and was always willing to help others, never thinking of herself. We trust that you all have many fond memories of all of the good times enjoyed with her, we sure do. We will keep all of the family in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
God bless-
John and Lori Stasko
So sorry to learn of your loss. When I first met Aija she and Bob had just opened Frankie’s. Such a kind and sweet women. She was such a hard worker making sure she welcomed everyone as they entered the restaurant. Later on she bore several heartaches that none of us should have to experience. Aija was always a strong friend and always wanted you to know that she cared about you. Rest In Peace. “Death ends a life; Not a relationship.” Dr. Seuss. Hugs
We wish to express our greatest sympathy for your lose of Aija. It was always wonderful to run into her and enjoy talking with her. We will never forget the times a Frankies or her warm friendly smile. She will be truly missed.
To the Wagner family, I can’t tell you how special Aija was to me. She was always such a dear lady with a kind comment. She was such a gentle soul. I am so happy that she was a friend to our family. We will all miss her dearly. Our thoughts are with you all at this time. Love you, Karen Bojak
So very sorry for your families loss. May God bring you peace in your time of Sorry.
I am so sorry for your loss of this beautiful kind hearted woman. She was such a sweet lady. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
My heart goes out to Bob,Rodney, Sherry,Evelyn, Billy and Ella. What a wonderful wife , mom, and grandma!
Aija was always warm and welcoming to my son, Steve as she was with whomever she met. We were blessed to know her. She will be remembered and loved always.
I am deeply saddened to hear of of the loss of a dear sweet friend of our family and to many others .
Aija had a heart of gold and will be missed by many who knew her.
Aija was always so kind to all and was always there for many including my parents when they were in need of anything while coping with health issues which I am deeply grateful for.
My thoughts and prayers to the family of a dear friend.
May she rest in peace….
Love and prayers,
Gail Boughton Brady
We are so sorry to hear about Aija’s passing. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are going out to your family, especially Ella and BOB who have been our neighbors for years. She will be missed.
Bob & Rodney, I just saw this obituary in the paper. My thoughts, prayers, and sympathies, are with you both. Bob, it looks like you and your wife had a wonderful life together. So much to be thankful for, and I know you’ll miss her so much. Hope you and Rodney are doing well.
(This is Sue. I called on your store from the State of Michigan). ❤️🎄
Sending my condolences to the family
We are so sorry to hear about your loss. We can picture Aija dancing in heaven with Courtney…free of all pain and happy! But for those whom remain, her loss will be deeply felt. Our sincere and heart felt condolences.
I will always love you my beautiful sister. We lived far apart in different countries, but the times we were able to visit each other were times of great joy and celebration. Love never dies, so I know the bond we share is eternal. Sweet dreams until I see you again Aija. Maris Boze and family.
Praying God will comfort you during this difficult time. Aija was a beautiful soul who cared for everyone and she will be missed by all who called her friend.
My deepest condolences, what I knew of her going to triple creek, she had such a sweet smile, and very sweet lady, will miss u.my thoughts and prayers are with all of the family at this time, she will always be remembered.
I will always remember the big family dinners I was lucky enough to be included in and all the memories at Frankie’s. Aunt Aija was a wonderful sweet kind person who loved everyone even if you weren’t “family”. So sorry for your loss Shawna Ozolins and the entire family.
Words cannot express how sad we are at the news of Aija’s death. She was a wonderful friend and I will miss her. RIP Aija
My condolences on the loss of your Mother.
(Marlene’s Brother)
Dear Bob, Rodney, Sherri, and family,
We are all so saddened to hear of Aija’s passing today. Our hearts aches for all of you. We all loved Aija so much and were blessed to know her. I’m so happy I was able to visit and catch up with you when I was in Michigan. Aija will be missed by all. Our deepest sympathy. Love Mary Durren, Erik, and Krista Hausmanis
To the Wagner Family. I am so very sorry for your loss. Aija will be deeply missed by all. Everyone that she has touched has been blessed in a special way. Just by her presence. I have stood proud with the Wagner family in thick and thin and our love for each other has never changed no matter how long we were apart. Aija always met me with a smile and a big huge and many motherly questions. Showing me and letting me know how much she cares about myself and others that she shared her life with. My heart is hurting for Bob and the Wagner family and I think I can say my brother Rodney. I love you all and will keep you in my prayers. RIP Aija Wagner you will be missed.
Praying for the family at this time. She was a dear sister and friend and was like a mother to us. She was always there for us. She was a wonderful support when Mara and I married 7 years ago. She was so happy for us. We always kept in close touch. We miss her and will miss our talks. She always thought of others before herself. We hope to see her again one day. With all our love….John and Mara
Rodney, Sherri, Evie and Billy,
I’m very sorry for your loss. Praying for comfort for you all at this difficult time.
Kim Adams.
My heart and condolences goes out to all the family and I know how hard this is. She will be missed by everyone that knew her. What a beautiful person. May she Rest In Peace. Lord Bless and Keep her in eternity. From Claudia (sis) and her brother Val- who is with her in heaven.
Condolences to the family. Aija was wonderful, kind lady. She will be missed.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss , Aija was a wonderful person and I am blessed to have known her. She was always so fun to work with at Frankies and I know that heaven has gained an absolute amazing angel.