Wayne W. Mindham

Wayne W. Mindham, 82, Boscobel passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at Gundersen Hospital, Boscobel, WI.

Wayne was born to Hayman and Lorene (Conroy) Mindham in their rural Crawford County home on May 27, 1937. He grew up on a farm in the Mt. Zion area, attended one-room schools and graduated from Boscobel High School in 1956. Upon graduation, he attended University of Wisconsin-Madison Farm & Industry Short Courses, worked at Fisher Body – Division of General Motors in Janesville and enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard.

Wayne returned to rural Crawford County where he worked along side his father and brother on the family farms. On September 19, 1959 Wayne married Caroline Ellenbolt at the Boscobel United Methodist Church. They spent the next 60 years faithfully by each others side raising four daughters and enjoying life on the farm. In 1961, Wayne was deployed to active duty with his National Guard unit during the Berlin Crisis, stationed in Fort Lewis, WA.

Wayne was actively involved as a volunteer Emergency Fire Warden for 50 years, a Board Member with Town of Scott and supported the Crawford County Crime Stoppers. He was on the administrative council and a faithful member of the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church .

With retirement from dairy farming, Wayne continued to manage beef cattle, was employed at FS and drove school bus for the Boscobel School District for 15 years. As a bus driver he had an opportunity to interact and make an impact on young lives. Wayne enjoyed a special hobby turning three acres of farmland into pumpkin patches. He donated pumpkins to schools, organizations and churches. He wanted to ensure every child had a pumpkin to carve.

Wayne was an avid hunter and sportsmen. He enjoyed fishing trips to Canada. Each fall, he looked forward to spending time with his brother and best friend, John, as they headed west to the Colorado mountains in search of the trophy elk. Wayne enjoyed the camaraderie of deer hunting with family and friends. He enjoyed bowling and playing golf, as well as a good card game. He was an avid Bulldog, Brewer, Badger and Packer Fan.

Wayne is survived by his loving wife, Caroline, their daughters, Deborah (Gary Smith) Mindham, Neenah, WI; Marsha Nice, Medford, WI; Sarah (Bill) Dawson, Lodi, WI and Becky (Mike) Hooper, Geneva, IL; grandchildren, Emily (Austin) Eaton, Enterprise, AL; Madelyn and Olivia Hooper, Geneva, IL; Charles (Amy) Dawson, Los Angeles, CA; Katie (Jeff) Green, Denver, CO and Philip (Yukiko) Dawson, Sendai, Japan; great-grandchildren, Nora, Clara and Logan Eaton, Enterprise, AL; Ruby and Lilou Dawson, Los Angeles, CA and Ava Green, Denver, CO.

Wayne is survived by his siblings, Betty France, Stoughton, WI, Sharon (Tom) Hynes, Dane, WI, John (Carole) Mindham, Boscobel, WI and Mary Mindham, New Berlin, WI. Wayne is also survived by his godchildren, Jill (Merwin) Trumm, Amy (Hardy) Farley, Michelle (Mindham) Hoppman and Christopher Kinyon. He is further survived by many other family and friends.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws, Ray and Alnora Ellenbolt, brother-in-law, Bruce France, sister-in-law, Nancy Murphy and nephew, Trent Mindham.

Wayne will long be remembered for his gentle spirit, kindness, patience and a commitment to those he loved. Wayne will forever be loved and in our hearts.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Stan Pegram officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be held at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will be at the Mt. Zion Union Hill Cemetery at a later date.

“ . . . whatever is truth, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever admirable – if anything is excellent or praise worth – think about such things and God of peace will be with you . . . “ Phillippians 4:8

Online condolences are available at www.kendallfuneralservice.com

To send flowers to Wayne’s family, please visit our floral section.