* Lela Margaret Wagner; Santa Paula Homemaker

Homemaker Lela Margaret Wagner died in her sleep Saturday in Santa Paula at the age of 77.

Wagner was born March 19, 1924, in Sydney, Australia.

She met her future husband, Robert L. Wagner, during World War II when she was volunteering at a hospital in Sydney where he was recuperating.

She moved to the U.S. in 1947 and the couple married in Toledo, Ohio, later that year. They lived in Berea, Ohio, where three of their four children were born.

The family moved to Australia before settling in Las Vegas. The couple then moved to Santa Paula in 1998 to enjoy a smaller town and California climate.

Wagner loved to read and write and kept in touch with friends around the world in spite of macular degeneration later in life. She also survived breast cancer.

In addition to her husband of 53 years, she is survived by sons Robert of Santa Paula, Brett of Camarillo and Brian and Brad of Las Vegas; brother Robert Heathcoat of Sydney; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Pierce Bros. Santa Paula Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Macular Degeneration Foundation, P.O. Box 9752, San Jose, CA 95157.

Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce Bros. Stetler Mortuary in Santa Paula.