Former Lansing resident donates $10,000 to library...

The Friends of the Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library group has recently received a substantial financial gift from a former resident. A donation of $10,000 was received from Mary Ann (Wagner) Pratt. In the photo above, left to right, Library Director Derva Burke presents the donation check to Friends of the Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library Chairperson Katie Hanson and member Ann Langford. A letter describing the gift was also read and presented with the donation.

Mary Ann (Wagner) Pratt is a member of the Carl Wagner family that lived in Lansing for many years; she is the second oldest of six children. These children were first cousins to Lansing resident Bill Burke and his brother and sisters. The Wagners’ mother, Mary, worked at the Peoples Savings Bank and at the Catholic parish house, and is remembered as a loving mother and home keeper. Because family members haven’t lived in Lansing for several years, Bill Burke and Roger Valley, who was married to Dorothy Wagner, now deceased, each provided brief histories of the family while in Lansing during the donation presentation event.

The wishes of the Wagner children are for the funds be put to use for an electric chair lift for seniors and others to connect the main library floor with the lower level where library programs and group meetings are held. The gift represents the value of the library in Lansing in the lives of the Wagner children while growing up there. This and other sentiments were expressed in the letter accompanying the donation. The Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library and its Friends group has expressed deep thanks and admiration to the Wagner children for remembering the community of Lansing after being away for many years. Submitted photo.