Wayne A. Rossman, 95, Hartley

Visitation and fellowship to celebrate the life of Wayne A. Rossman was held Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at the Hartley Funeral Home in Hartley. A private family burial will take place at a later date. Hartley Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.

Wayne Arthur Rossman, son of Arthur and Della (Hansen) Rossman, was born in his family’s farmhouse 10 miles northwest of Platte, S.D., on April 23, 1927.

Due to the agricultural depression, drought, hordes of grasshoppers and dust storms, the family relocated to a farm south of Harris in 1935. In 1939, they moved to a farm four miles northeast of Hartley. Wayne received his early education through the country school system, graduating from Hartley High School in 1944. During his school years he had participated in football, school plays and men’s chorus.

Following graduation, Wayne farmed with his dad until he was drafted for military service in April of 1951. While in service he trained in CIC (Counter-Intelligence Corps) at Fort Holabird in Baltimore, Md., and attended Japanese Culture and Language School. He served his country with the United States Army during the Korean War, being stationed for a time in Nara and Kyoto, Japan. He was honorably discharged on April 3, 1953, and returned home to resume farming.

On Dec. 18, 1954, Wayne was united in marriage to Sylvia (Weeks), who was the home economics teacher at Hartley High School at the time. Two children would complete their family, David and Sara. The major portion of their married life together was spent on a farm 10 miles northeast of Hartley, calling it “home” and raising their children there until 1990 when they retired and moved into the town of Hartley.

After retiring, Wayne enjoyed helping David for several years with his livestock and grain operation. Having his grandchildren nearby and dancing with Sylvia to “Big Band” music were his main interests. To experience life outside Iowa, he and Sylvia both enjoyed being part of several extended bus tours throughout the United States, from Alaska to Florida.

Wayne stayed involved with his community and gave back to it by serving for nine years on the Trinity United Church of Christ Consistory, 15 years on the hospital and Community Memorial Health Center Board, 12 years on the O’Brien County Tax Review Board, 23 years with the Hartley Lions, a member of the Soil Conservation Board as well as Hartley American Legion Post #288.

Wayne passed from this life on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, at the Spencer Hospital in Spencer, at the age of 95 years. He was preceded in death by an infant son; his parents, Arthur and Della Rossman; sisters: Mavis Coatney and Elaine (Bethke) Heilman; nephew, Bruce Bethke; and niece, Nola (Bethke) Penland.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Sylvia Rossman, of Hartley; his son, David (Diane) Rossman, of Hartley; daughter, Sara Rossman, of Lake Park; four grandchildren: Nick Joens, Emily (Dan) Garloff, Brenton (Emily) Rossman and Allison (Tyler) Hougland; eight great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.