Wayne Orville Riley

Wayne Orville Riley

Norway

Wayne Orville Riley passed away at the Colonial Manor in Amana on Feb. 9, 2023. He was married for 69 years to Loralyn Wilson from South Dakota.

Wayne was born May 24, 1929, to his parents, Wallace and Pauline Riley. His family also welcomed his younger sister, Glenice. Wayne graduated from Norway High School in 1947. He served in the Air Force; he was trained to be a NORAD radar operator. He was stationed at Ellsworth Base in Rapid City and briefly in Thule, Greenland. While in Rapid City, Wayne met his future wife, Loralyn Wilson, while attending a church social dance.

The couple married on Feb. 18, 1953, in Rapid City. Later the couple moved to Norway, Iowa, to farm. The couple had four kids: Roger, Warren, Raelene, and Malinda. When Loralyn got to Iowa her father-in-law bought some cattle in South Dakota, and they were shipped by rail to Norway. Along with the cattle from South Dakota came Loralyn’s horse named Flame.

Wayne farmed with his dad on the land where he grew up, and on a nearby farm where his dad grew up. He loved working hard, but always had time for a cold Pepsi and a candy bar. After he retired, he enjoyed driving old tractors on various tractor rides around Eastern Iowa. His favorite tractor was always his 1957 John Deere 60 he had when he first started farming. He traded that tractor off for a newer model.

Later he located that same John Deere 60 at a sale near Belle Plaine. He purchased the tractor, and restored it. He rode on rides with that tractor, and later his Massey 65. Wayne also had a John Deere 520 he bought from Loralyn’s brother Bob in South Dakota. After he got that tractor running, he used it to pull a restored one row corn picker.

Wayne was preceded in death by his wife, Loralyn, in November of 2021; and brother-in-law, Weldon C. Towe.

He is survived by his children, Roger (Susie) Riley of Ames, Warren (Shelly) Riley of Tama, Raelene (Mark) Wilson of Lawton, and Malinda Riley of Norway; and one sister, Glenice Towe. He will be missed by eight grandchildren, Sarah Watson, David Wilson, Daniel Wilson, Rick Riley, Ryan Riley, Robyn Martinez, Dionne Riley and Abbey Riley; and five great-grandchildren. Wayne will be missed by nephews, Stuart Towe and Quintin Towe, who farm his land; niece, Amy Becker, other nieces and nephews, along with his many friends.

Funeral Service is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, at Norway United Methodist Church, Norway, Iowa, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at Linwood Cemetery, Amana, IA with military honors.

Memorials may be directed to Norway United Methodist Church or Norway American Legion, post 234. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.neuhausfuneralservice.com.

Brosh Funeral Service of Norway is assisting the family.