Wayne Thomas Ward

Hills, Minnesota

  Wayne Thomas Ward age 82 of Hills, MN died unexpectedly, Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. 

 Visitation will be Wednesday, February 5th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, with the family present at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills, MN.

 Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, February 6th at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills, with Pastor Lori Bonkoski officiating. 

 Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

  Wayne Thomas Ward was born March 4th, 1942, in Luverne, MN, the son of Charles and Inez (Lein) Ward. He was raised in the Hills area, where he attended high school. 

  Wayne married Janice Hiney on August 16, 1959, at Palisades Lutheran Church near Valley Springs, SD. Together, they made Hills their home for their entire married life. Wayne began his career at Chuck’s Champion Gas Station, owned by his father, before moving on to John Morrell in Sioux Falls, SD. In April 1988, he took on the role of city maintenance man for Hills, a position he held with pride until his retirement in 2010. Wayne had a deep love for his work and the community he served, and even after retirement, he was always ready to lend a helping hand. He enjoyed assisting Keith Elbers with auctions, was an avid collector of all things John Deere, and had a knack for repairing lawn mowers and snowblowers for anyone who needed it. Wayne enjoyed his time spent with his beloved dog, Lulu, taking golf cart rides around town. Above all, he cherished the life he shared with Janice and found joy in the moments spent with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

  He is survived by his two children, Steve (wife Paula) Ward of Brandon, SD and Wendy (husband Tim) Buss of Hills, MN; Sister, Josephine Eisenbraun of Sioux Falls, SD; Six grandchildren; Ten great grandchildren; and many other extended family members.

  He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Inez Ward; Wife of 57 years, Janice Ward; Son, David Ward; and grandchild, Cody Miller.