Wayne William Hemmelrick (UPDATED)

Wayne William Hemmelrick, age 95, of Lake Crystal, died Friday, April 24, 2020 at his home surrounded by loving family.

Memorial service will be held at 11am, Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lake Crystal. Masks will be required, social distance will be observed, and the amount of guests will be limited. A reception will follow at the Lake Crystal Legion. Please share a memory of Wayne with his family at www.mankatomortuary.com.

Wayne was born April 14, 1925 in Alcester, SD to Henry and Dena (Meinjohans) Hemmelrick. Their family lived throughout South Dakota and Minnesota, moving for various farm work in the area. On December 4, 1944, Wayne entered the United States Army and served overseas in the Philippines and Japan before being honorably discharged on November 5, 1946.

He married Arlene E. Wojahn on February 22, 1948 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lake Crystal. They lived in the Lake Crystal area all their married life. They enjoyed raising animals on the farm, polka dancing and socializing with friends, fishing up north, playing cards, and spending time with family. He owned and operated Wayne’s Excavating for 16 years. He also worked at Williams Garage, Collins Garage, and drove school bus for Lake Crystal.

Wayne is survived by his daughter, Betty (Thomas) Goettlicher of North Mankato; grandchildren, Kami (Peter) Welter of St. Peter and Thomas (Natasha) Goettlicher, Jr. of North Mankato; great-grandchildren, Nicholas Welter, Lindsay Welter, Thomas James Goettlicher, and Jolissa Nelton; sister, Connie (William) Engstrom; sister-in-law, Melva Wojahn; and many nieces and nephews.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Arlene in 2006; son, Ronald; and sister, Darlene (Paul) Dunker.