Wayne N. Estby, age 79 of Delano passed away September 14, 2015 at home surrounded by his family. He was born May 22, 1936, at the Brooten MN Hospital, to Bernhardt and Mayrene (Paulson) Estby. He was raised on a nearby small farm.

Wayne graduated from Brooten High School and the University of Minnesota. He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1955-1957. Wayne was united in marriage to Thelma Mellgren in 1960. They raised three children.

Wayne taught shop classes in the Hopkins area Schools. He later sold real estate for Aubie Theis Real Estate for about 10 years after which he started his own real estate brokerage, Crow River Realty, Inc.

Along with selling real estate, Wayne was Delano’s local auctioneer and conducted many personal property, real estate, and benefit auctions. His favorite benefit auction was for the local Cub Scouts, where they sold only cakes.

Wood working was Wayne’s favorite hobby. He also loved to tell stories and jokes, which he did daily with his morning coffee buddies. If there wasn’t someone to talk with on a street corner, he’d find a light pole and talk to it! People and what they did were Wayne’s main interest. Wayne was the Christmas lefse baker and taught the grandchildren so they could carry on the tradition.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and sister Betty Lacktorin. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Thelma; children Sherree (Brad) Eckstrom, Brad (Tara) Estby, Scott (Becky) Estby; 10 grandchildren Amber (Neil) Bannerman, Ashley Eckstrom (fiancé Dusty Wellman), Aryn Eckstrom, Aubrey Eckstrom, Max Estby, Grace Estby, Charles Estby, Ben Estby (significant other Maggie Gleason), Becca Estby and Brady Estby; 3 great grandchildren Landon, Lilly and Lucas Bannerman; siblings Dorothy Wood, Jarnell (Sue) Estby, Obert (Linda) Estby, Margaret Locke, Andrew Estby, Beverly (Roy) Wailles, Charles Estby.

Memorial Service was held at 11 a.m. Monday, September 21, 2015 at Light of Christ Lutheran Church, Delano. Gathering of family and friends was from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday and continued Monday, 10-11 a.m. prior to the service ALL at the church. Inurnment with Military Honors was at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis.