Marna Wagner Fullerton February 15, 1934–October 17, 2026

Marna Wagner Fullerton, 92, of Wayzata, Minnesota, and Delray, Florida, died peacefully on October 17, 2026. A devoted mother and grandmother and generous community volunteer, she lived independently, with impeccable taste, lively humor, and an enduring curiosity about the world.

Raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Marna attended Milwaukee Downer Seminary. She graduated from Connecticut College and spent her junior year studying in Paris and Geneva through Smith College, beginning a lifelong love of travel, art, and culture. After college, Marna worked as a reporter for Life magazine in New York City.

In 2000, Marna lost both her husband, James Gordon Fullerton III, and her father, Robert S. Wagner, within twelve months of each other. During this time, she assumed the chairmanship of Fullerton Company and took an increasingly active role on the board of E.R. Wagner Manufacturing Company. She was instrumental in reshaping the leadership teams and boards of both century-old family businesses, which continue to operate today.

For nearly three decades, Marna served on the boards of Abbott Northwestern Hospital and the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. She also served on the boards of the Guthrie Theater, the Science Museum of Minnesota, Connecticut College, the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute, and the Ethics Resource Center in Washington, D.C. She delighted in advocating for and encouraging young professionals, artists, and leaders to develop their talents.

Marna loved the outdoors, gardens, and flowers in all forms. She was an avid garden club member, floral arranger, horse rider, tennis player, and enthusiastic fly fisherwoman and hunter. Her pursuit of bonefish, trout, permit, and game birds inspired memorable family adventures across three continents. A self-described mediocre shot, she maintained that the birds had little to fear. Her real pleasure was watching the dogs work at sunrise and sunset.

Always the consummate hostess in both Minnesota and Florida, Marna cherished time with family and friends. Her discerning eye was evident in her personal style and the beauty she created at home through thoughtfully set tables and gatherings planned with care. Her keen perception, high standards, generosity, and zest for life remained unmistakably her own.

Marna was preceded in death by her husband, James; her son, Jeff; her parents, Robert and Jane Wagner; and her sister, Cynthia Kahler. She is survived by her children, Jim Fullerton IV (Kelly), Robert Fullerton (Caroline), and Laure Fullerton Headrick (Chris); and grandchildren Jimmy Fullerton V, Alex Fullerton, Mae Fullerton, Nicholas Fullerton, John Fullerton, Gannen Headrick, Andrew Fullerton, Ella Fullerton, Mariner Headrick, and Lauder Headrick.

A service honoring Marna’s life will be held at St. Martin’s by-the-Lake Episcopal Church on November 13, 2026, at 3:00 pm, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation or St. Martin’s by-the-Lake Episcopal Church.