Wayne Eugene Beatty, age 86, of Stromsburg, Nebraska, passed away March 28, 2022 at the Good Samaritan Society in Osceola.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 1, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Salem Lutheran Church in Stromsburg with Pastor Neil Kloppenborg officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 31 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Salem Lutheran Church. Organist will be Sue Lehn. Special music by Vintage Voices with accompanist Carolyn Hanson. Musical selections will be "What A Friend We Have In Jesus", "Precious Lord, Take My Hand", "Amazing Grace", and "How Great Thou Art." Pallbearers will be Tyler Lamoree, Tanner Lamoree, Presley Nannen, Corey Nienhueser, Craig Nienhueser and Derek Vrtiska. Interment will be in the Stromsburg Cemetery.

Wayne was born August 4, 1935 to Rolland A. and Neva M. (Dahl) Beatty in Auburn, Nebraska. He attended country school east of Stromsburg and graduated from Stromsburg High School in 1954 where he held the record in track for the 100 and 200 yard dash for many years. He attended Luther College in Wahoo where he played football for one year.  He served in the Army from August 20, 1958 to October 10, 1958 before he was medically discharged. He then worked in commercial construction in Lincoln.

On April 8, 1962 he was united in marriage to Judith Ann Koehler at the Osceola United Methodist Church. To this union three daughters were born. They lived in an apartment in Osceola until Wayne’s uncle Charlie Steever’s passing presented them the opportunity to move to their current home place east of Stromsburg. Wayne began farming and did custom farming in the Polk and surrounding counties for 42 years, retiring in 2004. In the winter months he worked for Tom Kreis Drywall. 

He was a member of the Stromsburg United Methodist Church where he helped with maintenance of the handbells, and a member of the Stromsburg American Legion.  He was also a member of Stromsburg Masonic Lodge #126 where he was a 50+ years member and was Master Mason and Deputy Grand Custodian for 34 years; and Eastern Star #192 serving as Worthy Patron and other positions. In 1968 he joined the Scottish Rite and Lincoln Sesostris Shrine and served as Knight’s Commander of the Court of Honor and Potentate Aid for two years.

He enjoyed riding motorcycles, was a member of the Road Rovers club and going to Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for 40+ years. He never knew a stranger and enjoyed having coffee with friends, watching sports and westerns. Wayne and his wife Judy delighted children as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus for over 40 years.

Survivors include his wife Judy of Stromsburg; daughters, Mary Sue (Brian) Nannen of Lincoln, Julie (Doug) Lamoree of Stromsburg and Kristi (Mark) Strasheim of Lincoln; eight grandchildren: Scarlett (Mark) Murphy, Presley Nannen, Kassie (Derek) Vrtiska, Tyler Lamoree, Kylie Lamoree, Tanner Lamoree, Siarrah Strasheim, Marisah Strasheim and one great granddaughter Daylinn Nannen; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Rolland and Neva; brother Ronald Beatty and one infant sister.

Dubas Funeral Home of Stromsburg and Osceola has been entrusted with arrangements.

Source: https://www.dubasfuneralhome.com/obituary/Wayne-Beatty