Wayne Amdahl

Wayne Arlan Amdahl age 77 years and two days died April 3, 2018, at the Pipestone County Hospice House, surrounded by the family he loved so dearly. He was the loving husband of Karen (Krapf); the devoted father of Jeffrey (Julie) of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Jason (Melissa) of Mankato, Minnesota, and Joel (Erin) of Mankato; and the cherished grandfather of Chane, Jenner, Jenessa, Jackson, Jenson, Jessa and Jamison, for whom he made his world famous oatmeal waffles every time they were around; he was the brother to Dean (Julia) of Colorado, Glen of Sioux Falls, and Carol (Darrell) Foss of Pipestone, Minnesota, and the wonderful uncle and great uncle to many.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Axel and Hilda (Holter) Amdahl; his brother, Orville; his father- and mother-in -law Otto and Dora (Dock) Krapf.

Wayne was born April 1, 1941, at the home of his parents in Alliance Township, Moody County, South Dakota. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethania (Messiah) Lutheran Church at rural Flandreau, South Dakota. He attended school at District 20 until eighth grade and then went to Trent High School where he graduated in 1959. He continued his education at General Beadle Teachers College which is now Dakota State at Madison, South Dakota, graduating in 1964. In September of 1961, he met his future wife, Karen and has called this his “life changing event.” They were married August 18, 1963 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jasper.

Wayne taught Industrial Arts in Comfrey, Minnesota from 1964 to 1969. The family moved to Pipestone in 1969 where Wayne taught industrial arts until his retirement in January 1999. In his 30 years of teaching in Pipestone, he also served a Community Education Director from 1983 to 1998. He also taught Math for Living and went to Lake Benton two hours a day to teach Industrial Arts for one year. Wayne taught adult education classes and held an open shop for area woodworkers to come to for help with their projects. His grandfather clock classes were always filled and at least 100 clocks are in the area because of his classes. Upon his retirement he opened his own cabinet shop where he made custom cabinets for many homes in the area. Because of his health issues he sold his shop in June 2017.

As a community minded person, Wayne served on the Private Industry Council, Economic Development Authority, was a member of the Minnesota Education Association, and the Association of Industrial Arts Educators.

Wayne was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church where he was actively involved in various capacities as the Sunday School Superintendent, President of the Congregation, Board of Elders, Board of Trustees, Building Committee, and several call Committees. He also took his turn operating the sound system for Sunday services, funerals, and weddings for over 30 years. He was a devoted member of the Tuesday early morning Bible study for 25 years. Wayne’s Christian faith was exemplified in his character and love for people. He was strong, yet gentle, consistent in all he did, a mentor to many, and an extremely hard worker.

All this was in addition to who he was as a family man. Let this be his legacy.