Wayne Charles Korell

1945 - 2025

Wayne Charles Korell

June 29, 1945 - September 30, 2025

Wayne Charles Korell, 80, of Torrington, Wyoming, passed away on September 30, 2025, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.

A public visitation will be held Tuesday October 7th from 9 to 11am at the funeral home and a celebration of life will be held 1pm October 11th at the First Congregational Church with the Reverend Matt Gordon officiating. A reception will follow at the Cottonwood Country Club. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Eastern Wyoming College Foundation to support agriculture-related endeavors, honoring Wayne's lifelong passion for farming, ranching, and education or to the First Congregational Church in Torrington to honor his faith. Condolences may be sent to www.colyerfuneralhome.com

He was born June 29, 1945, in Torrington, the son of Henry and Rachael (Heckman) Korell. Wayne was a lifelong farmer and rancher in Goshen County. He proudly purchased his first farm in the Rawhide Valley northeast of Lingle, where he built a life rooted in agriculture and community. Known for his strong work ethic, he was proud to be a farmer and rancher, and throughout the challenges of agricultural economics, he remained both creative and innovative. His support of farming and ranching extended well beyond his own operation, as he was always eager to strengthen the future of agriculture in Wyoming. He generously offered advice and help to young farmers, believing deeply in the importance of future generations carrying on the work of the land. Wayne also believed in public service and community involvement. He proudly served as a lobbyist for National Farmers Union and on many boards including the Wyoming State Board of Agriculture, the Lingle Water Users Association, and Goshen County Economic Development, where he contributed thoughtful leadership and built lasting friendships with those who shared his commitment. In later years, Wayne developed a passion for golf, a sport he found both challenging and, in his own words, "well…challenging" even though he had holes-in-one nineteen days apart. Earlier in life, he played town team basketball and was a skilled fast-pitch softball pitcher. Whatever the sport, his competitive spirit was matched by his ability to make more friends than rivals-though his drive to win was never in doubt. He also enjoyed local history and assembled an impressive collection of arrowheads and artifacts. In 1965, Wayne married Vicki Ruff, and together they had two children, Patrick and Lori. He treasured playing golf and basketball with his son and cherished long conversations with his daughter during country drives, especially in later years. In 1984, he married Beth Johnson, and together they shared a true partnership filled with success, happiness, and devotion in both life and business. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Alan and Robert.

He is survived by his wife, Beth; his children, Patrick and Lori; his beloved grandchildren, Walker, Madison, and Emma, who brought out his most endearing qualities and filled his later years with joy and laughter; his brother, Gary Korell; sisters, Kathy Rose and her husband, Bob and Kayleen Wunder and her husband, Dan; sisters-in-law, Pat Hayden Korell and Teri Hunt Korell; and many nieces and nephews.