Wayne Arthur Gruenhagen

Wayne A. Gruenhagen, age 69, of Mankato, died Thursday, December 19, 2019 at home after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Visitation will be held from 5-8pm, Sunday, December 22, 2019 at Hosanna Lutheran Church. Memorial service will be 11am, Monday, December 23, 2019 at Hosanna Lutheran Church with visitation one hour prior. Please share a memory of Wayne with his family at www.mankatomortuary.com.

Memorials preferred to Hosanna Lutheran Church, Mankato

Wayne Arthur Gruenhagen was born on December 11, 1950 to Orville and Geraldine (Lange) Gruenhagen in Glencoe, MN. He graduated from Glencoe High School in 1968. He attended Willmar Community College from 1968-1970 and Mankato State University from 1970-1972. In June of 1972, he was drafted into the U.S. Army as the last draftee from McLeod County MN. He was eventually stationed in Erlangen, Germany until he was honorably discharged in 1974. Wayne married Nancy (Rayman) on November 5, 1977 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Glencoe, MN.

Wayne worked for nearly 40 years for Big Gain Inc. both in Plato and Mankato, MN serving in livestock feed sales and managing the dairy feed division. He served several years as a Cub and Boy Scout leader and enjoyed his time with these young men.

Wayne thoroughly enjoyed traveling, camping, fishing, hunting and climbing Colorado 14ers with his family and friends. He was a member of Hosanna Lutheran Church, serving on the Governance Board and any other way he could spread Jesus love.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Nancy; children, Shawn (Jeanette) Gruenhagen, Wheat Ridge, CO; Chris (Lauren) Gruenhagen, Brookings, SD, and Heather (Evan) Bierer, Mankato, MN; grandchildren, Haakon, Greta and Henrik Gruenhagen, Otto and Gus Gruenhagen, and Francis, Ellis and Henry Bierer; siblings, Larry (Sue) Gruenhagen, Lori Adamietz, Kristi Gruenhagen; along with a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Geraldine Gruenhagen