John Wayne, 93, Ellendale

Published 12:00 am Saturday, March 22, 2008

The Funeral Service for John S. Wayne of Ellendale, will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the United Methodist Church in Ellendale.

The Rev. Gary Liker will officiate. Interment will be in Clarks Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the United Methodist Church in Ellendale and one hour before services at the church. Bonnerup Funeral Service is assisting the family with arrangements.

John died on Thursday, March 20, 2008, at the Cedarview Care Center in Owatonna. He was 93.

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He was born on Sept. 30, 1914, in Freeborn County, the son of Anton and Minnie (Fredrickson) Wayne. John graduated from Ellendale High School and then attended the University of Minnesota for a year. He spent three years as a young adult, during the Depression, traveling the western states specifically in Montana. These travels lended to a lifetime of stories for John.

He married Myrtle Jorgensen in 1941 in Clarks Grove at the Baptist church.

From 1941 until 1960, John farmed in Bath Township. After retiring from farming, he sold insurance and was a tax assessor and land appraiser for many area banks.

He married Genevieve Paulson Koppen on Oct. 21, 1972, at the Ellendale United Methodist Church.

He had been an active member of the Clarks Grove Baptist Church until his marriage to Gen, and then became involved in the United Methodist Church. John contributed to countless community activities. He was active in the Ellendale Historical Society, enjoyed raising show pigeons and was an avid photographer.

He photographed numerous weddings, graduations, sporting events and activities in the area.

John never met anyone he didn&8217;t want to engage in conversation with. He loved interacting with people and was a gifted storyteller. His family, especially his children and grandchildren, were treasured gifts to him.

He is survived by his wife Genevieve of Ellendale, children: Ruth (Dennis) Maulsby of Ames, Iowa, June (Alan) Sroufe of Minneapolis, Nate (Linda) Wayne of Minneapolis, Anton (Sharon) Wayne of Albert Lea, step son: Donald Koppen of Ellendale, step son-in-law: Fred Kycek of St. Paul; grandchildren: Matthew Maulsby of Ames, Iowa, William (Anne) Fleeson of North Carolina, Jocinda (Richard) Gaynor of Minneapolis, Nick (Katrina) Fleeson of Montana, Heather Sroufe of California, Kristin Wayne of Minneapolis, Kera Wayne of Minneapolis, Michael (Deanna) Wayne of Minneapolis,

Elizabeth Wayne of Minneapolis, step grandchildren: Jeffrey (LouAnne) Kycek of St. Paul, Jennifer (Matthew) Minder of St. Paul, Christopher Koppen of St. Paul, 10 great grandchildren: brother Jim (Velma) Wayne of Ellendale and several nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents, step-daughter Marilyn Kycek, sister Florence Wayne, brothers: Ralph, Don and Milton Wayne.

One of the last things that John shared with us was &8220;It&8217;s been a wonderful life, I have met so many wonderful people!&8221;