Merle Wayne Mekelburg

Wayne Mekelburg was born September 24, 1937 in Yuma, CO to Edward and Avaline Fletcher Mekelburg, the fourth of seven children.  He was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church on October 17, 1937.  He passed away on August 10, 2015 from numerous medical problems at Yuma District Hospital with his family by his side. 

Wayne grew up on a farm south east of Abarr and attended country school in Abarr riding horseback to and from school every day through the 6th grade.  He then stayed in Yuma with his grandparents while attending St. John’s Lutheran school in Yuma for 7th and 8th grade.  Wayne was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Yuma on April 6, 1952.  Wayne then attended Yuma High School graduating in 1956.  He was active in football and basketball throughout high school.  With his football team winning the state championship in 1953.  Wayne also participated in 4-H many years, one year taking bees!  After graduating from high school, he moved with his parents to Ft. Morgan, CO, where both he and his dad worked for Green Bros Cement.  He attended NJC in Sterling, CO, graduating with the class of 1958, playing basketball both years.  He met his future wife Nedra while attending NJC.  They were married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ft. Morgan, CO on June 29, 1958.  They were blessed with daughter Dani Rae on March 9, 1972.  They made their home in Sterling, CO where Wayne went to work for Lebsack’s Feedyard in Sterling. Wayne served his country in the National Guard from September 1960 to September 1963.  He was allowed to miss one summer of summer camp to help Nedra out at home after a horseback riding accident.  In 1962 Wayne and Nedra moved to Yuma where he was employed by Frank Herman and sons.  Later on, Stan and Roger Herman, Verne Haruf and Wayne formed Mill Iron Diamond where they had a diversified farming and ranching along with a dairy which Wayne managed for many years.  In March of 1975 along with 4 other dairyman Yuma Milk was formed.  Wayne managed Yuma Milk for many years and after the dairy sold, Wayne continued to work at the dairy.  He also started TLCC (Tender Loving Calf Care) during his years at the dairy.  After moving to town in 1992, Wayne worked for Rich Nelson doing various farming and ranching duties.  Which lead to Wayne purchasing Nelson’s hay equipment and going into custom haying business for himself.  Wayne and Nedra started Hayman, Inc. and Wayne was known to many as “The Hayman.”  2007 was the last hay season for Wayne and Nedra as Wayne was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2008.  We were very fortunate to have Wayne with us for 7 ½ years as a pancreatic cancer survivor. 

Wayne was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran church.  Wayne was an active member of the Yuma Lion’s Club for 52 years, with 51 years of perfect attendance.  Wayne also held every office over the years while he was a member of the Lion’s Club.  A highlight of Lion’s Club for Wayne was when he received the Humanitarian award in 2015.  He was also a very active member with The Old Thresher’s Group of Yuma, volunteering many hours there.  His hobbies included, golfing, bowling, pitching horseshoes, playing cards with buddies, leather craft, pheasant hunting with good friends, and supporting Yuma Indian athletics. 

A special time in Wayne’s life was when his grandson Nathan was born.  From the time Nathan came home from the hospital, Wayne made it a point to visit Matt, Dani, and Nathan at least once a day, most of the time twice a day. 

Wayne was preceeded in death by his parents Ed and Avaline; father-in-law and mother-in-law Verlyn and Edna Probasco; brother and sister-in-law Leon and Doris Mekelburg; sisters-in-law Genevieve Mekelburg and Louise Probasco; brother-in-law Richard Probasco; nephew Mike Mekelburg; and infant son born in 1965.  He is survived by his wife Nedra, daughter Dani and husband Matt of Yuma; Grandsons, Nathan of Yuma; Alex and wife Tori of Flagler and their children Bailey and Braxton; Aron and wife Alyssa, of Wray; brothers Milton Mekelburg, Yuma; Maurice (Jeannie) Mekelburg of Green Valley, AZ; Gary (Marcia) Mekelburg of Casa Grande, AZ; Gale (Kathy) Mekelburg of Nampa, ID; sister Carol (Art) Scheierman of Sutton, NE; sister-in-law Neva (John) Castor of Thornton, CO; brother-in-law Loren Probasco of Fort Morgan, CO; numerous nephews, nieces, and good friends.

Special memories from Wayne’s brothers and sister.  Brother Moe remembers times when he and Wayne were playing out in the corral throwing sticks, then the stick throwing turned to throwing sticks at each other.  And then Wayne instead of grabbing a stick, grabbed a fresh cow pie and threw it at Moe.  And Wayne’s aim was a lot better than Moe’s!  When they went to the house, Avaline let out a scream and they were not allowed to come into the house until they washed off at the water tank.  Another time Moe said they were bringing the milk cows in, Moe was riding Babe, their mare, and Wayne challenged Moe to a race back to the barn.  And Wayne was on foot and stayed ahead of Babe until Babe ran him over!  Her hoof clipped his head and he lost a tip of one finger, and Moe got a paddling!  He said he was always getting in trouble for doing something to Wayne.  That wasn’t near as bad as the time Moe had an ax and caught Wayne in the back of the head.  And Moe remembers Ed holding Wayne down while Avaline shaved around the cut and she sewed it up with a needle and thread.  And another paddling for Moe!  Sister Carol said she remembers Wayne being her protector being the big brother that he was.  He was always good about playing house and restaurant with her.  They even made mud pies together and pretended to eat them.  Wayne, along with his 3 big brothers put a bowl on Carol’s head one day and cut her hair around the edge of the bowl.  Avaline let out another scream!  Brother Gary says Wayne was always the worker.  He made sure the chores always got done, and the cows always got milked.  He has always been committed to whatever he believed in.  He had a wonderful sense of humor and he always enjoyed the people he was around.  Bud remembers Wayne helping him get a partially broke horse going, Bud was sitting on the horse bareback and Wayne found a bare of spurs and a piece of wire and wired them on Bud’s boots.  And the next thing Bud remembers, he was flying through the air and meeting some really hard ground. 

The funeral service was held at the St. John’s Lutheran Church on August 14th at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Timothy Davis officiating.  Interment followed at the Yuma Cemetery.  Arrangements were made by Baucke Funeral home.