Wayne F. Wawrzynaik

Northview-North Mankato Mortuary
2060 Commerce Dr.
North Mankato, MN 56003

Wayne F. Wawrzynaik passed away June 28th, 2018 at Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Mankato.  He was born July 21, 1959 in Minneapolis to Edgar and Carol Wawrzynaik.

Wayne grew up in rural Carver County near East Union Church in Minnesota. He had many fond memories of growing up there and loved to share them with his family. One of his favorite things to do was to drive around the area where he grew up telling his kids about his childhood antics; this later transferred to telling the stories to his grandchildren (which brought him such joy).  He attended East Union Lutheran Church as a child and was confirmed there.  Wayne graduated salutatorian at Chaska High School in 1977.  While he was a student there, he was a repeat State voice soloist, and also won numerous awards with the 4-H Club.

After High School he attended Minnesota State University, Mankato and majored in Computer Science, which was quite cutting edge for the time.  He would fondly tell stories of making computer programs on punch cards. While there, he met the love of his life (even before his love of cars, which if you knew Wayne, says a lot), Vanessa Weiss. The two love birds met while bowling in the campus Student Union. On March 10, 1979 Wayne and Vanessa were married at Faith Lutheran Church in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. Wayne and Vanessa had two children, Kent and Tara, and he worked hard to provide for the family. Wayne was always a family first man and sacrificed a lot in his life to make his family happy.

Wayne was a jovial person and loved telling jokes. He had an unforgettable laugh. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family and children. He was always the smartest person that anyone in the family knew. Family members came to him frequently for knowledge and advice; especially on cars. He also enjoyed playing games, of which Trivial Pursuit was one that he never seemed to lose at. He had a fantastic memory and could quote everything from Sponge Bob to the Blues Brothers.

In his later years, Wayne had three grandchildren who everyone knew he loved beyond words. They were the center of his life and he would do anything for them. One of the special things he loved doing was just listening to the kids on the phone as they talked about anything and everything.

Wayne was preceded in death by his father Edgar Wawrzynaik and his mother Carol (Bloominger) Wawrzynaik.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 39 years, Vanessa (Weiss); his son, Kent and his wife, Angela Wawrzynaik with their two children, Isabelle and Carson; his daughter, Tara Borkowski and her husband, Pawel with their daughter, Zosia; his sister, Denise Wawrzynaik; Vanessa's siblings; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held 1 p.m., Sunday, July 8, 2018 at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Mankato. A memorial visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the family.