Wayne Benjamin Armstrong

WAYNE BENJAMIN ARMSTRONG, age 86 of North Mankato, died on the evening of Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at his home at Oak Terrace in North Mankato.

Born in Waseca on June 17, 1936, Wayne was the son of Benjamin and Agnes (Root) Armstrong. As a child, he served mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church while his mother played piano, and enjoyed ringing the bell. Wayne attended country school before graduating from Waldorf High School, and later continued his education at the Waseca Agriculture School. After serving his country in the Army National Guard he began his career in farming. Wayne knew he’d met his future wife when he heard Lorenza Rodriguez’s laugh from across the room at The Kato Ballroom. They were married on April 20, 1963 in Cleveland, MN and laughed together for the next 59 years. He had the mind of a mechanic with the talent to prove it. You would often hear him say, “If it was made by a man, it can be fixed by a man.” Wayne was a gifted storyteller who loved entertaining his family and friends, and was active in his community. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, served on the community zoning board, and was a past chairman of the school board. It brought him much joy to present all of his children with their high school diplomas.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Lorenza of North Mankato; five children, Colette (William) Drager of Mankato, Darlette (Joel) Hoppe of Mankato, Jolette (Don) Byron of Waseca, Trent (Lisa) Armstrong of Waseca, and Marlette (Scott) Jones of Waseca; thirteen grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one brother, Wendell (Ruth) Armstrong of Waseca. He was preceded in death by both of his parents; one son, Troy Armstrong; one grandson, Alex Armstrong; and one sister, Mavis Wheelock.

Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, July 22, 2022 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Waldorf, with a rosary service to begin at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue for one hour before the service at the church on Saturday.

Funeral Mass will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Waldorf, with Father Brian Mulligan officiating. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Community Cemetery. Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral Homes and Crematory is handling the arrangements.