Wayne Lester Champ

Wayne Lester Champ, 99, of Glyndon, MN, passed away on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Sanford on Broadway, Fargo, ND.

Wayne was born to Lynn and Gladys Champ in Downer, MN. The rural landscape became the backdrop for his lifetime – setting his path for farming on the family farm north of Glyndon, MN. Main crops produced were seed potatoes, grain, soybeans, and sunflowers. He was honored as Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year in 1961 in Clay County and was well-respected in his community.

He was a member of the Glyndon School District Board for 18 years during the time of small-town school closings and consolidation process. He was a long-time member of the Glyndon Congregational UCC church and held numerous positions until the time the church closed in 2020. Champ also served on the Spring Lake Township board much of his life as an election judge.

He took an active interest in sports in the Glyndon area including managing and playing with the Glyndon softball team early in his life. He also helped to promote the Little League and Babe Ruth leagues in Glyndon. He earned the “Champ” name through his many competitive pursuits – golf, bowling, horseshoe pitching – winning many trophies and awards into his 80’s. He played cards earnestly, winning more than he lost, but always adhering to the rules of fairness and sportsmanship.

His four children were blessed to have been raised on the family farm where he supported their education and life pursuits. He was legendary as “Grandpa”, hosting sleepovers for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, teaching them to play cards and even teaching them to drive his golfcart around the farm at early ages. He took pride in lawn-mowing and achieved a “no-skip” session last when he was 95.

He will always be remembered by those who knew him for his social nature and his ability to be a truly supportive friend. He was generally one of the last to leave any gathering and his MN goodbyes were the real deal. He believed our life stories and lessons learned should be shared with one another.

He is survived by his four children – Julie Champ, Minneapolis MN, Laurie and Ron Dahley, Vergas, MN, Chris and Sheri Champ, Oxbow, ND, and Shelly Champ-Bebeau and Kurt Bebeau, Big Lake Township, MN; a sister, Jean Olson, Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Amanda Musachio and her children Madison O'Donnell and Jack Musachio, St. Paul, MN; Ashley Champ and her children Charlie and Lulu, Oxbow, ND, Jonathan and Katie Champ and their children Kaylee and Carter, Lake Elmo, MN, Linnea Champ, Minneapolis, MN, Kara and Michael Goodwin and their children Avery and Kennedy, Farmington, MN, Emily and Aaron Huus and their children Olivia and Joanna, Lakeville, MN, Laura Bebeau, Elk River, MN, and McKenna Bebeau and her child, Aurora, Elk River, MN; many nieces and nephews and friends of all kinds in many places.

He was preceded in death by numerous friends and generations of family members, including his grandson, Michael Champ.

We will always remember him as a true “Champ”, a man who lived a full, long, and good life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to the nonprofit organization of your choice.