Wayne Block

Wayne H. Block, age 88, of Willmar and formerly of Kandiyohi, died Saturday, July 4, at Bethesda Heritage Center in Willmar

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 9, at Hope Presbyterian Church in Spicer. Interment will be in the Spicer City Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, at Peterson Brothers Green Lake Funeral Home in Spicer and one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are preferred to Rice Hospice.

Wayne Harrison Block was born on May 22, 1927, on the family farm in Green Lake Township, Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, the son of Albert and Charlotte "Jo" (McClurg) Block. He grew up in the rural Kandiyohi community, received his education from the District #60 school and began working for the Great Northern Railroad as a Telegrapher. In 1944, Wayne entered the U.S. Navy and served as a Seabee stationed in Adak, Alaska. On September 26, 1947, at the Spicer Presbyterian Church, Wayne was united in marriage to Shirley Mae Fritz. They lived and farmed in the Kandiyohi area until 1955 when Wayne began working at the Willmar Ready Mix. In 1960, he returned to livestock and crop farming. In 1967, he began employment at the Willmar State Hospital in the agricultural and grounds crew department, and later as a van driver, retiring in 1989. Wayne was a member of Hope Presbyterian Church and a charter member and the 2nd Commander of the Spicer American Legion Post #545. He enjoyed gardening, mowing the lawn, fishing, playing cards and polka dancing. Wayne was a "jack of all trades". He had a creative mind that could fix just about anything.

He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley of Willmar; four children, Greg Block (and special friend, Rose Cleary) of Kandiyohi, Connie Peters of Willmar, Cheryl (and Lyndon) Hansen of Spicer and Marybeth Block of Welch; five grandchildren, Bill (and Tanya) Peters of Watertown, WI., Paul Block (and special friend, Tiffany Carissa) of Spicer, Travis Block of Minneapolis, Kerstin (and Jacob Kulju) Hansen of Schrader and Britta Hansen of Everett, WA.; and three great grandchildren, Brandon Peters, Madison Peters and Braden Block, besides other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Stanley and Donald Block.

Cemetery Details