Jessica Lauren (Wagner) Pluim

After a brief but hard-fought battle against a rare, metastatic cancer, our sweet Jessica Lauren passed from the loving arms of her husband and father into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior the morning of July 6, 2026.

Jessica was born on November 6, 1982 but more importantly, she was "born again" in 1989 at the tender age of 7.  She never wavered in that faith. She believed it, lived it, and let her light so shine that others would be drawn not only to her but also to the God she loved.

Growing up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Jessica attended Green Bay Christian School and Preble High School.  She went on to attend Northwestern Bible College in Saint Paul, Minnesota where she studied Elementary Education and met her husband, Brady.  They married July 9, 2005 and made their home in the Minneapolis area for 19 years.

Jessica taught in the White Bear Lake school system for a time before settling into the career she loved most, that of being a wife and mother. She homeschooled her 5 older children with a dedication that helped them excel beyond their respective grades.  No small task for someone with two preschoolers and a baby in tow.

August 2025, she and Brady relocated to Sparta, Tennessee where they built a beautiful home situated on 33 acres on the Cumberland plateau. She loved to decorate simply and elegantly with a farmhouse-cottage style all her own.  There is an immediate sense of care, rest, comfort and love in every room.

Because Jess loved Jesus first and foremost. Scripture was everywhere in her home but even more than that, it was in her heart.  She deeply treasured it for what it is; the true and living Word of God. She was memorizing Romans 8:18-28 just before taking ill.

It begins, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present world are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us."  That faith has now become sight.

She was a loving wife to her husband Brady, a devoted and gentle mother to their eight children; Grayson (17), Thatcher (16), Delaney (14), Everley (12), Lynley (8), Gentry (5), Walker (3), and Maisey (15 months); a precious daughter to her parents, Bob and Geri Wagner (Green Bay, WI); a sweet sister to her siblings, Kimberly (Jeremy) Meyer, Matthew (Jenica) Wagner, Anya (Caleb) Stauff, Tanya (Joel) Ehernberger; and a dear granddaughter to Muriel Keyser.

Jessica's extended family includes her in-laws; Mark (Gretchen) Pluim, Holli (Adam) Springer, Kristy (Tim) Shultis, Tracy (Anna) Pluim, along with Grandma Juanita.
As well as 15 aunts and uncles, 25 nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins who will all miss her deeply.

She was preceded in death by her mother-in-law Debbie Pluim, her maternal grandfather, Harvey Keyser, her paternal grandparents Harold and Harriet Wagner and an infant brother, Daniel.

Jessica was a gift to us for 43 years and 8 months. One we did not expect to lose so soon. Our grief is beyond words.  Yet we do not "... grieve as those who have no hope" ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Until we meet again our sweet "Chicka", we hold you in our hearts.

'Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in Me, though he may die, yet he shall live.  And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die..."  ~ John 11:25-26

In lieu of flowers, expressions of love may be directed to the family to support the children's care and education going forward

Hunter Funeral Home has been entrusted with Jessica's cremation and local arrangements are pending