Wayne Anthony Gorman

Wayne Gorman, age 93, of Austin, Minnesota, beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend, took his last breath on Friday, August 29, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. Wayne Anthony Gorman, the first child and son of Rosalia (Elsbernd) and Gerald Gorman, was born January 17, 1932, at home, on Center Street in Dutch Towne. He was the loyal and much-loved big brother to Anna May, Colette, Ardel, and Mary Kay. Very early, at the ripe age of seven, Wayne established his strong work ethic, determination and resilience, as a “Newsboy” on the morning “Milwaukee Road” and “Chicago Great Western Railroad” trains which…made him late to school every day and earned him daily detention from the nuns at Queen of Angels School. Wayne was also a devoted altar server at Queen of Angels Church, from the age of five until he graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1950. At age nineteen, Wayne joined the U.S. Navy and served for four years aboard the LSD-25 San Marcos.

Throughout his life, Wayne worked many jobs to help his family, including shoe shining, bagging groceries at Nelsons, working at his family’s “East Side Lake Rabbitry”, his Uncle Bill’s Creamery in Canton, managing the Spudnut Donut Shop, selling insurance, as a painter and drywaller, and retired with over 30 years in the USPS. Wayne married the love of his life, Darlene Joyce Smith, on February 15, 1958, at Queen of Angels Church. Mr. and Mrs. Gorman celebrated their new life together with a honeymoon to New Orleans. They made a happy home hand in hand for 67 remarkable years, with 66 years on Kenwood Street, where they welcomed their children, Bruce, Brad, and Brigette.

A craftsman at carpentry and life, Wayne didn’t just build, he put his time, energy, effort, and care into every project. For Dad, there was no excuse for poor craftsmanship, nothing that couldn’t find a new use, and never a day without coffee and time for family and friends! An avid outdoorsman, Wayne loved to take his family backpacking, camping, and canoeing…especially on weeks long journeys down Minnesota rivers with his brother Ardel’s family. Dad was “at the helm” in life and on every trip as a patient, observant, and skilled navigator. Under his watchful eye, no one fell behind.

A true Boy Scout, every Tuesday night for much of his life, Wayne pledged the Boy Scout Oath: “On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”

Wayne loved and was so very proud of his family and absolutely glowed with love and pride for his grandchildren, Jake, Josh, Jeremy, Danny, Kyle, Joey, Grady, Gabe, and his great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Alayna, Olivia, Jaxon, Griffin, Madalynn, Hayes, Barret, Suvi, August, Ruby, and Miles.

He is survived by his loving wife, two sons, daughter, sister, eight grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and a blessed host of extended family and dear friends. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Anna May, Colette, and Ardel.

We will miss you immensely…your care and concern, sage advice, three pat hugs, and one-liner sendoffs: “Have fun”, Take yer time”, “Yes Dearie”, and “Love you all.”

Thank you, Dad, for the love you gave us and the beautiful lives we’ve lived because of you! We will forever keep you in our hearts.

Dad nest egged wise quotes like this one found on his desk from Fernando Sabino— “In the end, everything will be okay. If it’s not okay, it’s not yet the end.”

A celebration of Wayne’s life will be held at a later date, with details to follow. Interment will be at the Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery in Preston. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements.