Wayne Michelsen

Wayne Willie Michelsen was born on February 23, 1933 to Willie and Alma (Matthiesen) Michelsen in Luverne, Minnesota. Wayne grew up on the family farm near Magnolia, Minnesota. He attended school in Magnolia, graduating in 1951. Throughout his time in school, he enjoyed playing football and basketball with his teammates. Following high school, Wayne entered into the United States Army in 1955 where he was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. He proudly served until he was honorably discharged on December 31, 1962. Shortly after his time with the Army, Wayne was united in marriage to the love of his life, Joan Kjelden. Together the couple welcomed their daughters, Angela and Stacey, who were the center of their world.

Wayne was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne, where he served as an usher for many services. He was a friendly, familiar face to those who attended. He was no stranger to hard work. Day in and day out he worked diligently on his farm to raise his livestock and crops and to provide for his family - farming was always in his soul. He planted love into the core of his family and the roots ran deep. He had many titles throughout his life; son, brother, husband, dad, but above all his favorite title was Papa. Wayne adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He spent countless hours with them attending games for the Twins, Sioux Falls Canaries and the Skyforce. He took them on many trips throughout the years, making memories with each and every one of them. When he wasn’t spending time with family, Wayne enjoyed bowling, golfing and fishing. He was an avid belt buckle collector and loved tinkering in woodworking. After his retirement from farming in 1993, Wayne helped drive delivery vehicles for Hot Stuff Foods and worked at the Greenview rest area near Adrian, Minnesota. He often helped local farmers when he was asked. One of Wayne’s most cherished memories was when he was honored to participate in the Midwest Honor Flight Mission 7 to Washington DC in September of 2021. His loyalty to his family and his country was unwavering. He always struggled with goodbyes because he couldn’t stand the thought of not being able to take care of those he loved. Wayne passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at the Sanford USD Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at the age of 92 years, four months and 19 days.

Wayne is lovingly remembered by his daughters, Angela (Dave) Swenson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Stacey (Bradley) Hustoft of Luverne, Minnesota; grandchildren, Christopher Vickery, Jamie (Amelia May) Vickery, Brittany (Lance) Van Der Weerd, Matthew (Kali Korth) Schmuck, Monaya Hustoft, Zayna (Marshall Taylor) Hustoft and Jacinda Hustoft; great-grandchildren, Maddie Van Der Weerd, Karlie Van Der Weerd and Jackson Van Der Weerd; and his siblings, Phyllis Kelm of Garretson, South Dakota, Lloyd (Judy) Michelsen of Hamburg, New York and Dallas (Jean) Michelsen of Bellevue, Nebraska. Wayne was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Joan Michelsen; his parents, Willie and Alma Michelsen; son-in-law, Todd Schmuck; and brother- and sister-in-law, Lyle and Michiko Tofteland.

Memorials may be directed to Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne, Minnesota or the Midwest Honor Flight in Wayne’s memory.