Obituary of Wayne Kissel

Wayne Frederick Kissel was born July 17, 1916 and departed this life February 19, 2006. He was born to Frederick J. Kissel and Minnie Mae Kissel at the family home in Spearville, Kansas. Wayne was the middle child of three. Wayne’s cousin Eldon was born the same day, in the same house, and so they were known as the “twin cousinsâ€? and remained very close. In Wayne’s early childhood years, the family lived in various places from Colorado to Kansas, finally settling in Fowler, Kansas. He attended Wilburn Township, a small country school north of Fowler until the eighth grade. During that time frame, he drove a horse and buggy to school, and many times raced his fellow students. Wayne attended High School in Fowler, where he played football and lettered. He enjoyed all sports and continued following sports throughout his life. Watching his children and grandchildren with their sports activities became a passion. Sara was Wayne’s first passion. In 1934, Wayne attended a box supper social at Lakeside High School in Fowler, Kansas. He bought a young lady’s box supper and that started their romance. Wayne and Sara Ratzlaff were married on April 2nd, 1936 at Sara’s family home Northwest of Minneola, Kansas and were together for 70 years. They started their married life on a farm west of Minneloa. From there they moved to Elbert, Colorado, where they had a dairy farm with 40 cows, that they milked by hand. During this time Wayne had many loving nicknames for Sara and the one that stuck was “Peggyâ€?, which he shortened to “Pegâ€?. Wayne went to Mason City, Iowa and became an auctioneer. In 1946, they moved from Elbert to Albequerque, New Mexico spending one winter. They moved back to Kiowa, Colorado in 1947, where they built a livestock auction barn. While in Kiowa, he was a member of the Kiowa Lions Club. Church was another passion. As a family, they attended a variety of churches and when they moved to Limon in 1951, he was baptized in the First Baptist Church of Limon. Often times their family was extended to young boys in the community as Wayne and Peggy opened their home to several boys that needed a home. In Wayne’s eyes, no one was a stranger. Farming and ranching were a big part of Wayne’s life, as he had a love for horses, roping, and just riding. He was a member of the Hugo Roping Club. He rode the alleys at the sale barn, did custom baling, and helped build the grain elevator in Genoa, Colorado. Wayne worked as a substitute mail carrier for the Limon Post Office. In 1963, he passed his Civil Service test and became a postal clerk. He had a wonderful sense of humor that stuck with him until the end. He loved stamping the hands of little ones that came in to the post office. After working 20 years, he retired on July 28, 1983 and looked forward to spending time on the golf course. However, he soon found out retirement was not for him. On a part time basis, he started transporting cars for the Ford and Chrysler dealerships in Limon, CO. Wayne traveled all over eastern Colorado and went as far as Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Branson, Missouri. Wayne and Peggy made several trips into the city picking up parts and made a lot of friends along the way. He is preceeded in death by his parents, Fred and Minnie Kissel and Son, Doug Kissel. Wayne is survived by wife, Sara “Peggyâ€? Kissel of Limon, CO Brother, Jack Kissel of Brush, CO Sister, Onieta Holladay of Brighton, CO. Children Son’s wife, Nadine Kissel of Limon, CO Patricia Mae Page and husband, Allen of Wray, CO, Steven Ray Kissel and wife, Julie of Conway, AK. Grandchildren, Yvonne Kissel of Limon, CO, Chris Harrison and husband, Tom of Wheatridge, CO, Sami Williams and husband, Bill of Penrose, CO, Danell Page of Parker, CO Justin Graham of Conway, AK, Taylor Graham of Conway, AK. Great Grandchildren, Tayrn Harrison of Arvada, CO, Nicole Harrison of Wheatridge, CO, Rachael Harrison of Wheatridge, CO, Wyatt Williams of Penrose, CO Funeral services were held Wednesday, February 22, 2006 at 10:30 A.M. at the Love Funeral Home Chapel in Limon, CO. Burial immediately followed at Pershing Memorial Cemetery in Limon, CO. Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association, American Cancer Society or the Limon Ambulance Fund