Wayne R. Herberg

Wayne R. Herberg, 84, Beardsley, MN, passed away Sunday, April 14, 2019, at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND.

Funeral services will be Friday, April 19, at 10:30 a.m. at Holden Lutheran Church in rural Beardsley with Rev. David Tonn officiating. Music will be provided by organist Deb Wentland.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Burial will be at a later date in the Holden Cemetery, rural Beardsley.

Wayne Richard Herberg was born May 15, 1934, in rural Beardsley, MN, to Oscar and Leona (Hills) Herberg. He attended school in Beardsley, MN, through the eighth grade, at which time he left school to help on the family farm.

As a young man Wayne joined his father in working for Great Northern Railroad. Wayne remained with Great Northern, and later Burlington Northern until his retirement.  Although he would never let anyone know it, Wayne took pride in getting up early each morning to join his section crew in Chokio and Morris.   He was also proud of holding one job for his entire life. Despite his commitment to his craft, Wayne never put a phone on the wall, because that may have entailed him being called out for a derailment.  Loyalty and commitment only go so far.

Wayne married Barbara Marks on November 15, 1969.  Exactly five years later, Wayne and Barb welcomed their first son, Micheal.  In 1980 they welcomed their second son, David.

In addition to working on the railroad, Wayne continued to farm 80 acres of land south of Beardsley through the mid 1980's.  He did so with International "C" and "H" tractors, and other not very modern equipment.

Wayne loved new cars.  He loved driving around; he would often say that as long as he could get in the car and go, life was good.  He bought several new cars from Alinder Ford in Sisseton, SD.  He took meticulous care of his cars, and often utilized more than one set of seat covers to ensure "Alinder" gave him the best deal on his next trade.  He was always skeptical.

Wayne was also an avid Minnesota sports fan.  He loved the Vikings, Twins and Gophers, but never expected much from them.  If they lost, his response was always "that's natural".  He never acknowledged the Timberwolves, because the Lakers were Minnesota's true basketball team.

Wayne retired from Burlington Northern in the mid-1990's.  He was looking forward to traveling and finally using his Amtrak pass with his wife.  Unfortunately, shortly after his retirement, Barb became ill.  Wayne devoted the next decade to caring for Barb, keeping her home as long as possible.

In 2011, Wayne became a grandparent.  His grandson was his pride and joy.  He regained a zest for life that had been absent.  He carried photos of his grandson everywhere he went and made sure anyone and everyone knew how proud he was of his grandson.  He fulfilled his dream of "seeing Aysen play ball" by attending his t-ball games.

Wayne took pride in being active, and he was active almost every day of the 84 years he was alive.  He never stopped moving.  He was always working on a project.

In January 2019, Wayne was involved in an automobile accident near Fairmount, ND, which resulted in a broken hip.  Wayne defied odds.  His sense of humor returned, as did his activity.  He ditched his walker and cane while in the Grace Home in Graceville, MN, and was excited to return home.  Unfortunately, Wayne contracted and succumbed to pneumonia before he was able to get back to Beardsley.

Wayne was unique.  Intensely private.  Stubborn.  Old school.  Meticulous.  But Wayne was intensely loyal and kind hearted. He could be counted on.

Wayne is survived by his sons, Micheal and David; grandson, Aysen; and brother, Vern (Connie).

Wayne is preceded in death by his wife, Barb; his parents, Oscar and Leona; sisters, Rose and Darlene; father-in-law, Bill Marks; and mother-in-law, Lorraine Marks.