Ambroson, Wayne A. (1929-2012)

AMBROSON, NORDSKOG, PETERSON, CUNNINGHAM, KARKOW, HAUGEN

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 10/29/2012 at 05:34:37

Wayne A. Ambroson
(July 21, 1929 - October 6, 2012)

Wayne A. Ambroson, age 83, of Leland, Iowa, died Saturday, October 06, 2012, at Park Centre in Newton, Iowa.

Wayne A. Ambroson, a lifelong resident of Leland, passed away on a cool, crisp afternoon with the trees in their beautiful fall foliage and the harvest in full swing. Born on July 21, 1929, in rural Leland, the son of Walter A. and Selma T. (Nordskog) Ambroson, he grew up on the family farm. He graduated from Forest City High School and enlisted in the Marines during the Korean War. Deployed to Korea, he worked as a crew chief on the new, big Sikorsky helicopters, transporting wounded soldiers to hospital ships and weapons to battle sites.

This dashing young Marine swept Clarine Peterson, the love of his life, off her feet and married her on June 14, 1953, in the only double wedding in the history of West Prairie Church in rural Leland. Clarine’s sister, Marlas, married Wayne’s long-time friend, Gordon Reimann, at that same wedding.

Wayne and Clarine built their home in rural Leland where Wayne farmed and established his plumbing and heating business, T-W Plumbing & Heating. He started the business in 1955 with his uncle Tilford (We all called him Hartley.) Nordskog, hence the business name. Before long, Wayne took over the business and ran it by himself. Although he loved farming, his ever sensible wife noticed he was busiest with both businesses every spring and every fall. As a result, Wayne opted to rent out his farmland while continuing to work in the plumbing and heating business. Taking great pride in his work, he became a well-known electrician and plumber in both Lake Mills and surrounding communities. Indeed, he served his customers well for over fifty years.

Wayne loved music, especially the beautiful old hymns. Deeply involved with the West Prairie Church, he would often sing solos or with his family while Clarine accompanied him on the piano or organ. She was the church organist for many decades. For many years, he sang “Were You There” for every Easter sunrise service. He also sang at weddings and funerals as well as for other occasions. He always enjoyed singing in church.

Wayne and Clarine raised four wonderful children, Louaine, DeAnn, Terry, and Larry. He enjoyed his role as Dad but was very grateful for the part his wife played in raising these four rambunctious kids. Louaine lives in Manchester, Iowa, and is married to Bill Karkow. They have ten kids, four “kids-in-law,” and two grandbabies. DeAnn lives in Jesup, Iowa, with her beloved cats. Terry lives in Urbandale, Iowa, with his wife Susan. They have four kids. Larry lives in Newton, Iowa, with his wife Dianna. They also have four kids.

Wayne had twenty-two grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Proud of every single one of them as well as of his own kids and their spouses, he always enjoyed their company at family gatherings, especially during holidays. Indeed, they all shared a close and loving relationship. Moreover, his kids often took him out to eat, one of his favorite activities after he retired.

Both Wayne and Clarine enjoyed taking trips, and Wayne would sometimes travel with his family in his Cessna airplane. Some trips were short, such as those to a flight breakfast (especially if he could also attend a flight show) or to a larger nearby airport with a restaurant for a nice supper. Some trips were longer, such as trips to see family members who lived in other states. He loved flying and enjoyed many hours soaring into the skies in his beloved airplane.

Wayne also loved to hunt, and he enjoyed collecting guns. He especially liked Belgian manufactured Brownings, but he collected a wide variety of gun. He and his hunting buddies would go to Wyoming and other remote places to show off their prowess with their guns and bag their share of deer, antelope, and pheasant. He also loved fishing in Canada with Clarine or his fishing buddies.

Wayne was preceded in death by his wife, Clarine; his parents, Walter and Selma Ambroson; and his sister, Maxine Cunningham. He is survived by his four beloved children: Louaine, DeAnn, Terry, and Larry; his sister-in-law, Marlas Reimann (Leland), his brother- and sister-in-law, Allen and Jean Peterson (Leland), and his sister-in-law, Betty Haugen (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho); twenty-two grandchildren and two great grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Wayne will be buried beside his wife of over fifty-five years at West Prairie, close to their home and to so many others that he loved. We will all miss his laughter, his talent for fixing things, his sense of humor and adventure, and his love for his family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, October 11, 2012, at West Prairie Lutheran Church, rural Leland, with Pastor Jon Rollefson officiating. Burial will be in West Prairie Lutheran Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Leland VFW Post #6161.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, October 10, 2012, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 East Main Street, Lake Mills, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

Copyright © 2012, Mittelstadt Funeral Home

Mittelstadt Funeral Home
 

Winnebago Obituaries maintained by Cheryl Siebrass.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen