Wayne Grossnickle

Wayne Maynard Grossnickle, of Laurens, Iowa passed away on September 2, 2022 surrounded by his family, at the age of 86.

Funeral services will take place Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at the Albert City Evangelical Free Church with burial to follow at the Laurens Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 6, 2022 from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Sliefert Funeral Home in ALBERT CITY. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City is in charge of arrangements.

Wayne was born in the family farmhouse on May 16th, 1936 to Max and Helen (Wilson) Grossnickle. He was the third of four children, Gwenna, Ruth, Wayne and Max. He graduated from Laurens High School, served in the U.S. Army and graduated from McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas.  He played football for all three institutions and was lovingly nicknamed “Moose” by his teammates.  

In college, he met Janet Tobias and on June 13, 1964, they were married in Akron, Ohio.  He taught school for one year in Gillett Grove, Iowa, instructing students in accounting, typing and other business classes and then was offered the chance to farm by his uncle, J. Edgar Grossnickle.  He farmed for 35 years, growing corn and soybeans, feeding cattle and raising hogs.  He and Jan also raised their three children on the farm: Helen, Jeff and Heather.  He retired to a house in Laurens in 2000, but continued to go out to help on the farm for as long as he was able. Wayne also served on the school board of Mallard Community School for years. 

Wayne was a dedicated and loving husband, father and grandfather. Wayne’s grandchildren had no doubt how much he loved them.  He was present for ball games, plays, concerts, graduations, birthdays and other chances to help too numerous to mention. 

Wayne was a devoted follower of Christ and took his faith seriously.  He was a member of the Prairie View Church of the Brethren, the United Methodist Church in Laurens, and then the Albert City Evangelical Free Church.  He gave his time, talents and resources to all of these.  

Wayne is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jan Grossnickle; children Helen Grossnickle Kingman and husband Guy, Jeff Grossnickle and wife Lisa, Heather Grossnickle Runneberg and husband Peter; grandchildren Julia Mohler, Alexandrea Keller and husband Micheal, Regan Doely and husband David, Teagan Winger and husband Keith, Devin W. Grossnickle and fiancé Allison Doud; and two great-grandsons, Harrison Dean Keller and Dax Wayne Doely; sister Gwenna Appel, and brother Max Grossnickle and sister-in-law Bonnie. He will be missed by a large extended family and many good friends.    

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Albert City Evangelical Free Church.

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