Wayne A. Hellbusch

Wayne A. Hellbusch passed away in Edina, MN on March 7th, 2025, at age 90. He was born at Luther Hospital in Watertown, SD on August 29, 1934. His parents were Arthur and Ethel (Lenaburg) Hellbusch. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran church in Castlewood, SD by his grandfather Rev. W.C. Hellbusch. His paternal and maternal ancestors in northern Germany became Lutheran not long after the Reformation.
Wayne graduated from Castlewood, SD HS in 1952 where he was active in sports and other school activities. In 1952 he entered South Dakota State University. He entered the draft in 1953 and shortly thereafter began basic and advanced Army training in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. Upon graduation he was sent to Ft. Lewis, WA where he was assigned to an Army school at the former (and present) Japanese Naval Academy on the island of Etajima, Japan. Upon graduation from that school, he was sent to Headquarters KCOMZ (US Eighth Army) in Taegu, Korea. He also served in Pusan and at 10th AA Headquarters in Osan, Korea.
Upon separation from military service, he returned to Watertown, SD and re-entered SDSU in Brookings, SD. During his time at SDSU he became a student teacher in Watertown HS. It was here that he met his future wife, Sharon Weis, who was a teacher at a Watertown grade school.
After graduation from SDSU he and Sharon were married at St. John Lutheran church in Minneapolis on August 23rd, 1959. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary and Wayne's 90th birthday with family and friends this past August.
In September 1959 Wayne entered a management training program at the corporate office of Midland National Life - Watertown, now headquartered in Sioux Falls. In 1961 he joined Lutheran Brotherhood (now Thrivent Financial) at their corporate office in Minneapolis where he was employed for 41 years in several positions, beginning in underwriting and later in sales and marketing.
LB was very supportive of employee volunteer activity. Wayne was most proud of their involvement in the greater Minneapolis United Way. In the early 70's the United Way was faltering and not reaching its goals. Wayne became a member of the new Executive Loan program under the direction of Wheelock Whitney, a leader in the Minneapolis business community. The Loaned Executive directive was to contact business CEOs/Executives, speak with employee groups, open new accounts and help re-energize existing fund-raising campaigns. United way goals were not only met but were surpassed with Whitney as the cheerleader.
In 1967 Wayne and Sharon became charter members of a new LCMS Lutheran mission in west Edina now called Cross View Lutheran Church. In past years Wayne served as church president, as an Elder, on church council and various committees. When they moved to Rosemount, MN in 2004 they also attended church services at Lutheran Church of Our Savior.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, David and Norman. He is survived by his wife, Sharon; daughter, Terri Maskel (John); granddaughter, Calli Maskel; son, Jon (Michelle) Hellbusch; granddaughters, Morgan and Sage; brother, Richard; sister, Marcia Perkins (Ross); as well as nephews and nieces.
Funeral service to be held on Thursday, March 27th, at 11 AM at Cross View Lutheran Church, 6645 McCauley Trail W. Edina, MN. Interment at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Wayne's name to either Cross View Lutheran Church (www.crossview.net) or The Lutheran Hour (www.lutheranhour.org).