A celebration of life service for Wayne N. Huntley, 89, of Emmons will take place at 11 a.m. Friday at Emmons Lutheran Church. The Rev. David Schafer will officiate. Burial will be at Oaklawn Cemetery with military rites accorded by the Emmons American Legion. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Wayne passed away peacefully Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by family.

Wayne was born June 13, 1929, to Kennes F. and Leona (Brandt) Huntley in Toeterville, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Toeterville and graduated from St. Ansgar High School in 1949. On June 1, 1957, he married Verlys Schmitt at United Methodist Church in Albert Lea.

Wayne had an amazing memory and loved telling stories about his childhood, his days in the Air Force in St. Louis, his coaching, his friendships throughout the years and his experiences as a father. He enjoyed history, including a trip to Germany where he visited World War II sites and met some of Verlys’ relatives. He enjoyed simple things in life: playing cards, reading the paper, Minnesota Twins games, polishing apples and chatting with friends. He enjoyed sitting in his favorite recliner watching sports, old-time dancing and the Lone Ranger on TV.

Wayne served many roles during his lifetime. He was a veteran of the Air Force, serving from 1951 to 1955 at Scott Air Force Base in St. Louis, with many enjoyable memories. He had a lifetime love of sports as a participant, coach and fan. He coached several youth sports teams in Emmons and taught the basics of the sport, good sportsmanship and fairness.

Wayne worked at Wilson & Co. for 33 years. Following retirement, he and Verlys began a farmers market business, which he enjoyed for 28 years. He treated everyone with kindness and considered his customers as friends.

As an active member of Emmons Lutheran Church, his faith was very important in his life. He always felt that God was watching out for him.

His family will remember him as a storyteller, a man with an amazing memory, a lover of sports and someone who enjoyed sweet treats, especially ice cream.

He leaves behind his wife, Verlys; five children, Debbie Huntley (Barry Caplin), Brian Huntley (Mary Jo), Pam Haugo (Jon), Barb Metcalf (Jerry) and Doug Huntley (Pam); 14 grandchildren, Brittany, Jeremy and Brandon Caplin, Connor and Grant Huntley, Josh (Rachel) Haugo, Kalli (Mike) Fitzgerald, Cody Haugo, Matthew and Marissa Metcalf, and Emily, Derek, Natalie and Nathan Huntley; four great-grandchildren, Joren and Jens Haugo and Dylan and Blake Fitzgerald; brother, Kennes C. (Mary) Huntley; and brothers-in-law Eldon Schmitt and William Schmitt.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Howard, in infancy; and his parents Kennes F. and Leona Huntley.

Memorials may be given to the Lake Mills Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 61, Lake Mills, IA, 50450.

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” — A.A. Milne