Wayne Lunsetter

Wayne Byron Lunsetter, age 89, of Gatzke, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at Benedictine Living Community in Crookston, MN. Wayne was born on October 2, 1935, in Thief River Falls, MN, the son of Melvin Otinus and Esther Elizabeth (Karlstrom) Lunsetter. He graduated valedictorian from Middle River High School with the Class of 1952 and, after working for four years to save up money, went on to attend North Dakota State University in Fargo where he joined the ROTC program. He earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1960 followed by a master's degree in biochemistry, reflecting his lifelong dedication to education and science. On August 9, 1959, Wayne was united in marriage to Barbara Grace Hylland at St. Petri Lutheran Church, rural Grygla, MN. Together they recently celebrated 66 years of marriage. In his younger years, Wayne was an avid baseball player. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, and cutting pulpwood in the Beltrami Island and Northwest Angle areas during the winter months. On January 2, 1963, the day after defending his Master's thesis, Wayne deployed to Vietnam as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. He served with the 93rd Transportation Company, later redesignated as the 121st Aviation Company, based in Soc Trang near the Mekong Delta. As a CH-21 helicopter pilot, Wayne flew South Vietnamese troops to combat assault areas, playing a vital role in frontline operations. From May 1966 until December 1967, Wayne was stationed at Fort Wolters, Texas, where he trained helicopter pilots. In 1968, he was trained to operate the CH-54 "Skycrane" - the U.S. Army's largest helicopter, designed for lifting heavy equipment. In March of that year, he returned to Vietnam as part of the 478th Aviation Company where he flew the CH-54 and the OH-6 "Loach". In August of 1970, Wayne was sent to Germany, where he served as a staff commander and later spent two years commanding an aviation maintenance company. He was joined by Barbara and their children, Janell, Julie, and David, making cherished memories together overseas. Wayne returned to the United States in July of 1974. Following his return, Wayne was stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where he tested new military equipment, including the Apache helicopter and artillery-locating radar systems. In 1977, he attended the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia, where he trained for joint services operations, integrating efforts across the Army, Navy, Air Force, Public Health Service, and other national organizations. From 1977 to 1979, he served at Fort Rucker, Alabama, as the officer in charge of staff roles in combat development. In January 1980, Wayne returned to Fort Belvoir to attend the Defense Systems Management College, where he served as an instructor from June 1980 until his retirement from the Army in October 1982 as a Lieutenant Colonel. In 1983, Wayne and his family settled back home on a farm near Gatzke, Minnesota, where he owned and operated a small grain and sheep farm. Wayne was an active member of United Lutheran Church in Gatzke, where he sang in the choir and served for many years as treasurer of the church and Landstad Cemetery. He completed five years of intensive training in the G.I.F.T.S. lay ministry program through the ELCA. Wayne was also a dedicated volunteer with the Living at Home Block Nurse Program in Marshall County and was honored as Outstanding Marshall County Senior Citizen for his contributions to the community. Survivors include his loving wife of 66 years, Barbara of Gatzke; children, Janell (Bill) Reich of Cave Springs, AR, Julie (Karl) Tysl of Chardon, OH, and David (Nikki) Lunsetter of Red Lake Falls, MN; grandchildren, Alex (Ponti) Reich, Phillip Reich, Rachel (Josh) Seidler, Alicia (Eric) Fredrickson, Bryan (Kristen) Tysl, Kirsten (William) Tavel, Jason (fiancé Mack) Tysl, Aiden Martell, Alaina Lunsetter, Anna Lunsetter; great-grandchildren, Torin, Coco, Estie, Kimbal, Jesse, Emerson, Wyatt, and one more on the way; siblings, Howard (Mary Ann) Lunsetter and Phyllis Lofgren; in-laws John (Sue) Hylland, Gail (Hylland) Nelson, and Satre descendants; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Jim Lofgren; and grandson, Austin Martell. A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN, with a prayer service at 6:30 PM. A funeral service to celebrate Wayne's life will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 22, 2025, at United Lutheran Church in Gatzke, MN, with visitation beginning one hour prior to the service. Rev. Timothy Lundeen will officiate. Burial will follow at Landstad Cemetery near Gatzke, MN.