Ward Wesley Weyhrauch

WARD WESLEY WEYHRAUCH, SR., age 100 of Minnesota Lake died on Saturday, May 16, 2020 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Waseca.

Ward was born on a farm northwest of Blue Earth on February 25, 1920, the son of Frank and Louise (Drehmel) Weyhrauch. Grandpa Frank bought the farm near Waldorf (now known as the Bleess farm) in the winter/spring of 1920. Ward and his mother made the move to the farm site by train when he was about two weeks old. Ward attended school at a country schoolhouse just north of the home place until 8th grade before his help was needed on the family farm. On June 5, 1942 Ward was united in marriage to Norma M. Tolzman at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Freedom Township. They lived on their 160-acre farm southwest of Waldorf, where they raised nine children. They enjoyed 71 years of marriage together.

Ward and Norma enjoyed traveling with their family, with a trip to Hawaii, several to Branson, and many other gatherings. They purchased a motorhome and were able to take in the sights in Alaska, Florida, and other states, and spent several winters in Texas. Ward was a member of the Congregational Church in Pemberton until it closed, and then became a member of the New Richland Congregational Church.

Ward is survived by his children, Dianne (Doug) Connor of Belvidere, IL, Donna (Frank) Loewen of Mankato, Frank (Bonnie) Weyhrauch of Belvidere, IL, Ronald Weyhrauch of Minnesota Lake, Darla Ross of Sherburn, Dawn Thomez of Waseca, Mark Weyhrauch of Round Rock, TX, and Donette (Scott) Smith of Owatonna; grandchildren Melenie (Jim) Reynolds, Michelle (Bob) McGuire, (Brenda) Weyhrauch, Julie (Jeff) Johnson, Brent (Amy) Weyhrauch, Corine Wehrle, Tanya Loewen, Jaycob (Betsy) Ross, Daniel (Angel) Weyhrauch, Ryan (Aj’a) Ross, Ashley (Joe) Thomez, Matt Thomez, Spencer Smith, Taylor Smith, and Preston Smith; and nineteen great-grandchildren, Lucas, Kylie, and Ella Reynolds, Connor and McKenna McGuire, Bennett (Gabriella), Nora, and Ella Weyhrauch, Ava Johnson, Ward Weyhrauch, Chandler and Ashton Wehrle, Adyson and Meredith Ross, Briella Weyhrauch, Rielle McNicol (Ross) and Henrik Ross, Jada Thomez and Vienna Peterson; and by many other relatives and friends.

Ward was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Norma; son, Ward Weyhrauch, Jr; grandson Chad Weyhrauch; son-in-law, Jeff Ross; brothers Lloyd (Evelyn), Harlan (Violet), and Gordon (Leanna) Weyhrauch; and sisters, Marian (Louis) Bleess, Alice (Leslie) Ward, and Lois (Frederick) Detjen.

A private family service will be held at St. Joseph’s Community Cemetery in Waldorf, with a public celebration of life service to be scheduled at a later date at the First Congregational Church in New Richland.