1935 – Kenneth LaVerne Wajer – 2016
Kenneth LaVerne Wajer was born on May 7, 1935 in Dundee, Minnesota. He was the son of John and Elizabeth (Rempt) Wajer. Ken was baptized Dec 20, 1957, at Salem Lutheran Parsonage in Comfrey, Minnesota and was later confirmed on June 9, 1959, at Zion Lutheran Church in Iona, Minnesota. In 1936, his family moved to a farm south of Slayton, Minnesota where he grew up. He attended country schools through the eighth grade. He went on to do farm work with his parents and other area farmers. Ken enlisted on April 19, 1956, and served in the United States Army and Reserves until his honorable discharge on July 3, 1962. On May 18, 1958, Ken was united in marriage to Deloris Lingbeck at Salem Lutheran Church in Comfrey. The couple made their home in Worthington, Minnesota and then Iona where Ken worked for John Scheuring for seven years. They then moved to Lynd, Minnesota and Ken worked for Harold Jorgensen for 11 years before taking a job as a truck mechanic for Cliff Viessman Trucking. He worked there for over 30 years until his retirement on December 31, 2005. The couple spent over 58 years of marriage together and raised four children: Michael, Scott, Brian, and Brenda. In addition to farming and his mechanic work, Ken also enjoyed bowling, hunting, fishing, and the Minnesota Twins. He was always positive, a jokester and the life of the party. He cherished the time he spent with family. Ken was also a faithful member of First Lutheran Church in Marshall. Kenneth entered his Heavenly home on Thursday, September 15, 2016, at the Prairie Home Hospice House in Marshall, Minnesota at the age of 81. Blessed be his memory.
Ken is survived by his wife, Dee Wajer, Lynd, MN; four children: Michael (Karen) Wajer, Hartford, SD, Scott (Michelle) Wajer, Marshall, MN, Brian Wajer, Maple Grove, MN, Brenda (Jack) Garness, Crooks, SD; seven grandchildren: Matt Wajer, Hartford, SD, Melissa (Jon) Brown, Sioux Falls, SD, Brandi (Justin) Louwagie, Cottonwood, MN, Ashley (Brett) Nowotny, Sioux Falls, SD, Dustin (Hezel) Garness, Hartford, SD, Cassie Garness, Crooks, SD, Sami Garness, Crooks, SD; two great-grandchildren: Cohen and Tinley Louwagie, another on the way; sister Rose (Cliff) Viessman, Dawson, MN; nephews, nieces, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Elizabeth Wajer; brother John Wajer; sister Viola Lamb; half-brothers: Bill Tuynman, Harold Tuynman, Lawrence Tuynman; half-sisters: Amanda Embree and Margaret Tuynman.
Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 20, 2016, at First Lutheran Church in Marshall, MN. Casket Bearers were Ken’s grandchildren: Sami Garness, Cassie Garness, Dustin Garness, Ashley Nowotny, Brandi Louwagie, Melissa Brown, Matt Wajer. Military Honors provided by Marshall American Legion, Post #113. Interment in the Lynd City Cemetery. Arrangements by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall, Minnesota. 507-532-2933. Guest book and tribute wall available online at www.hamiltonfh.com
