Wayne Holmquist, Sr

Wayne Holmquist Sr., 84, Wahpeton, ND, formerly of Abercrombie, ND passed away on Friday, August 31, 2012 at St. Francis Healthcare Campus, Breckenridge, MN. Funeral services will be on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at 2:00 PM at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Abercrombie, with Rev. Ken Kirchenwitz officiating. Visitation will start at 12:30 PM on the day of the service at the church until the time of the service. Interment will be at the Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Abercrombie. Arrangements are entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton, ND.

Wayne was born on July 11, 1928 on a farm near Sisseton, SD to Oscar and Hannah (Dahlgren) Holmquist. He grew up and attended school in Dawson, MN and graduated from Dawson High School. After high school, Wayne enlisted in the US Army and served at the end of WWII until his discharge in 1948. He then returned to Dawson.

Wayne was united in marriage to Irene Hanson on February 18, 1950 in Minneapolis and later moved there, where Wayne worked for a steel company and took night courses. After three years, they moved back to Dawson where Wayne began to work for companies that were putting up telephone lines. After traveling around working at various locations on line projects, the couple moved to Abercrombie in 1955 where Wayne became the general manager of what is now Red River Telephone. He held that position until his retirement in 1990. While they lived in Abercrombie, Wayne served three terms as Mayor. In 1992, Wayne and Irene moved to Wahpeton, ND where he lived to the present day.

Wayne was a member of the Ft. Abercrombie American Legion Post No. 0128, and the Leroy Ista VFW Post No. 9070. He enjoyed hunting, league bowling, and spending time at the cabin on East Lost Lake near Ottertail, MN. Wayne and Irene also enjoyed spending some time in Arizona in the winter months. Wayne was a quiet man, doing his job, and supporting his family and enjoying his time with them.

Wayne is survived by his wife of over 62 years, Irene, Wahpeton, ND; his children, Pam (John) Joy, Ponsford, MN, Wayne (Sue) Holmquist Jr., Fargo, ND, Vicky (Lynn) Moe, Walcott, ND, Jackie (Scott) Brand, Bismarck, ND; his grandchildren, Scott (Irene) Brand, Jr. , Shannon (Marty)Egeland, Kelly Moe, Katie (Andrew) Woytassek, Chad Brendel, Todd Brendel, Derek Holmquist, and Megan Holmquist; his great grandchildren, Wryder and Anna Egeland.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Terry Holmquist; three brothers; and five sisters.