Wayne J Maynard

Wayne John Maynard, age 85, rural Clark, passed from this earthly existence on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 after fighting a battle with bone cancer since July of 2011. His loving wife of over 61 years and other family members were at his side. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 1PM in the Watertown Christian Church, formerly the South Lake Church of Christ, at Watertown with Pastor Gerald Volk officiating. Pastor Steve Maas will read scripture and a grandson, Justin Fuller, will have a short reading about Wayne. Burial with full military honors provided by the Cagley-Smith American Legion Post #60 and the South Dakota Air Army National Honor Guard will be in the South Elrod Cemetery, southeast of Clark. The pianist will be Nancy Maynard with the soloist being Joel Maynard and a duet by Dennis Peterson and Becky Shedd. His granddaughters, Laura Foote, Trisha Rieffenberger, Mandy Lodmel and Brittany Vanzyl will serve as honorary casketbearers with his grandsons, Justin Fuller, Jason, Josh and Brad Maynard as active casketbearers. Visitation will be held on Friday from 5-7PM at the Furness Funeral Home at Clark and after noon at the Church in Watertown on Saturday. He was born Wayne John Maynard, the son of Ralph E., Sr. and Louise S. (Cornelius) Maynard on October 28, 1926 on a farm in Elrod Township. He attended school in Elrod Township, School #56 and then Henry High School graduating in 1944. His dad was killed in an automobile accident in 1935 and the older boys, Ralph, Jr. and Dwight took over the farming operation. After Wayne graduated, they formed a partnership in the farming. He was drafted into the US Army in 1945 and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sgt. in 1947. After his return back to South Dakota he resumed farming with his brothers. Wayne's Mother continued to instill a strong sense of family, something Wayne has never forgotten. In 1949 he enrolled at the University of Minnesota under the GI bill. It was at the university that he met and began dating Barbara Nedland from North Dakota. The couple was married on January 12 of 1950 in Minneapolis at the Church of Christ. They honeymooned to California and returned to a farm southeast of Clark, very near to where he was raised. The couple has lived on the farm since. His love for his beautiful wife overflowed to his children and grandchildren, taking several "summer trips" with them. Wayne loved spending time with his family and researching his roots. The summer Maynard reunions were always a highlight for him, if you told him you couldn't go to the reunion, you best have a very good excuse! Wayne's lifetime occupation was a farmer, especially commercial potatoes, growing them for over 65 years. He grew potatoes for seed, French fries, chips and table use, selling them in just about every State in America as well as Canada and Mexico. What had begun in 1935 with 50 acres soon grew with Wayne & family growing from 200 to 900 acres of potatoes annually. He had served on several boards locally, state wide and on a National Potato Council and a National Potato Board. Another civic duty of his was serving on the Henry School Board for 9 years and also on the Multi District Board in Watertown for 2 terms. Wayne has been the treasurer and sexton of the South Elrod Cemetery for many years. Another passion of his was flying, Wayne started riding shotgun while his older brothers flew their planes - no predator was safe - flying became a family tradition. Wayne was a very good shot and Barbara made many delivered meals from the wild game that was brought to her. Wayne's easy smile and ready knowledge on many subjects made him a wonderful conversationalist. At the age of 21, Wayne was baptized a Christian. His lifetime dream and goal was that of a faithful believing Christian to represent Jesus Christ and his Church in the best possible way. He showed his love for our Savior with continued evangelism until his last day. Wayne was a longtime member of the Watertown Christian Church, where he served as an Elder, served as Church Treasurer and had taught Bible Study for many years. Preceding him in death were his parents, a son, Michael in 1957, siblings, Meredith, Ralph, Jr., Dwight and Louise, a daughter-in-law, Pat Maynard, a brother-in-law, Lloyd Peterson and a sister-in-law, Marjorie (Lorry) Rotvold. Grateful for having shared in his life is his wife Barbara of Clark, children, Linda (Wayne) Fuller of Vienna, Mark (Arla) Maynard of Henry and John (Connie) Maynard of Clark, 9 grandchildren, Laura (Nathan) Foote, Justin (Wendy) Fuller, Trisha (Sam) Rieffenberger, Mandy (Mike) Lodmel, Brad Maynard, Missy (Dustin) Sinner, Jason Maynard, Joshua (Libby) Maynard and Brittany (Frank) Vanzyl. He also leaves 7 great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Alex, Lawson, Sydney, Jackson, Patrick & Christian, a brother, The Reverend Norman (Norma) Maynard of Medina, OH, a sister, Anna Peterson of Canby, MN, sister-in-laws, Elaine Maynard of Watertown, Mercedes Maynard of Clark, Betty Maynard of Gary and a brother-in-law, David Maas of Canby. For further information please go to www.furnessfuneralhome.com