Wayne Edward Peshia

Wayne Edward Peshia passed away peacefully at home from cancer on Saturday, July 2, 2011 at the age of 66 years. Wayne was born on November 1st, 1944 in Eldora, Iowa to Dale and Mildred Peshia. After spending his childhood years in Eldora, Wayne left to begin his college education. Wayne spent two years at Ellsworth Junior College in Iowa Falls which was followed by an additional two years at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls. In the fall of 1966, with a degree in hand Wayne began his teaching career in Weyerhauser, WI. During his tenure in Weyerhauser he met the love of his life, Alice Makuch. Wayne and Alice were engaged to be married when duty called. Wayne enlisted in the Army and served two years in Vietnam with the 194th Military Police Company, Mortar Squad. Wayne made his return to the United States in 1969 and married Alice on December 6th. In 1970, Wayne and Alice headed west to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where Wayne completed his military duty. In 1971, Wayne and Alice found themselves packing up and moving one more time… this time to Rush City, MN, where Wayne began his new career in teaching. Rush City became the community where the Peshia’s would “plant their roots” and call “home”. In 1973 Wayne and Alice built their home and just two years later, Alice gave birth to their only child, Jill Marie. After 35 years of dedication to the community and school, Wayne retired from teaching to focus his attention on his other loves...family, grandchildren and golf. Wayne was a member of the Grothe-Jacobson VFW Post #6692 and the Sacred Heart Catholic Church parish. He was also a former City of Rush City planning committe member, active in teacher negotiations for Independant School District #139, Rush City Junior High football coach, boys and girls basketball coach and a Rush City High School golf coach for over 20 years. Wayne is survived by his wife Alice, daughter Jill (Jeff) Larson of Dayton, grandchildren Lauren, Claire and Alton; sister Marjorie (Willie) Tintjer of Hubbard, Iowa, brother Gene Peshia of Eldora, Iowa, niece Linda (Mark Inks) Rush of Hubbard, Iowa; great niece and nephew Brook & Bryce Rush, Mother-in-law Bernice Olesiak of Chetek, WI., Sister-in-law Lorraine Biedron of Chetek, WI. Wayne is preceded in death by his parents Dale & Mildred Peshia, niece Nancy Tintjer, sister-in-law Marge Malaise and fathers-in-law John Makuch and Stanley Olesiak. Fathers Edwin Savundra and Xavier Thelakkatt wil celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday (7/6/11) at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rush City. A time of visitation is planned Tueday evening from 5-8 p.m. with a 7:30 p.m. prayer service at the Olson Chapel in Rush City. The interment will be in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Rush City. The Grothe-Jacobson VFW Post #6692 will provide military rites at the cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the Wayne Peshia Math Scholarship Fund.