Wayne Will

Wayne R. Will, age 80 of Elysian, Minnesota, died on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester.   Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 12th at 2:00 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Elysian with Rev. Russell Grabau officiating.  Interment will be in the Eagle Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Arnoldt-McRaith Funeral Home in Janesville, and will continue on Saturday afternoon for one hour prior to services, at church. Wayne Roger was born on February 12, 1928 to Walter and Cora (Lenz) Will in Algona, Iowa.  He graduated from Algona High School, and went on to attend the Electronic Radio Institute in Omaha. Wayne entered military service in the U.S. Navy.  He served his country during WWII until his honorable discharge on Dec. 15, 1947.  Wayne worked as announcer-engineer at radio stations in Texas.  During his time in Texas, Wayne had a radio show with Eddie Arnold.  He returned to Minnesota and Wayne began working for KTOE Radio in Mankato. On June 28, 1952 he was united in marriage to Patricia Duncan in Blue Earth, Minnesota.  In 1960 Wayne purchased the Madison Lake Times newspaper.  For over 30 years he and his wife served as owners and publishers of the paper until 1991.  Wayne served one term as Madison Lake Mayor (1964-1965).  He volunteered as a fireman for 28 years in both the Eagle Lake and Madison Lake Fire Departments, and served as City Clerk in those cities for several years.  Wayne served as Madison Lake Postmaster and as a sub rural carrier for a total of 28 years.  He was a charter member of the Eagle Lake American Legion Post #617 and a long time member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Elysian. He is survived by his wife Pat of Elysian, daughters Cindy (Kenneth) Mead of Mankato and Laurie (Russel) Born of Janesville, a son Thomas (Julie) Will of Chandler, AZ; by his daughter-in-law Lisa Will of LeSueur; by 13 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren; by his sisters Ruth Johnson of Sibley, IA, and Barb Oppold of Avon Park, FL and his sister-in-law Virginia Will of Algona, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son John, grandson Justin Will, three sisters and two brothers.