APG East Central MN Obituary Placement
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Wayne Karl (Rock) Drogemuller (69) of Burlington, KS passed away on March 30 in his home. Wayne grew up in Gaylord, Minnesota where he excelled in sports, baseball in particular, before moving to Caledonia, MN for his senior year of high school. The draft for the Vietnam War ended just prior to his birthday, so after graduating high school he attended the University of Minnesota, Morris and earned a degree in Biology (Class of 1975). After a brief stint student teaching elementary education, he decided that was not the career path meant for him. He promptly enlisted in the Navy, signing on for 6 years which were spent on the USS South Carolina, a nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser. They were stationed in the Mediterranean Sea during the Iran Hostage Crisis. While serving in the Navy, he was asked to look into Officer's Training, but turned it down saying he "didn't want to be an *expletive." Wayne's experience in the Navy led to his career at Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation from which he retired in 2010.
Wayne was an avid sports fan of all levels from pee-wee all the way to the pros, at one time holding season tickets to the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. As an adult he enjoyed playing softball, even though he was disgusted he could never hit the ball. This was followed by many years in the bowling league and participating in a major bowling tournament in Reno, NV for several years. One of the highlights he always looked forward to was the College World Series where he would get together with his father, brothers, and numerous nieces and nephews. He also loved supporting his nephews in their full careers of high school and college wrestling and never missed a big tournament. Wayne was a wonderful uncle and spent countless hours travelling, supporting his nieces and nephews in all of their interests, including horse shows, drama, and show choir.
Wayne's love for travelling began in junior high school with a trip out west with his aunt and uncle to Yellowstone National Park. He enjoyed seeing new places and learning about their histories. He made friends wherever he went and never met a stranger! This meant that he had friends he could drop in to visit in all 50 states. Wayne's loved ones always enjoyed his visits, though he was often banned from using their new appliances. They had a tendency of breaking when he was around. Wayne was also a world traveler, with his recent visit to Antarctica checking off six continents (he missed Australia)! Along with meeting new people on his travels, he enjoyed trying all of the local cuisine. His travel routes were usually influenced by the food and the people along the way!
Wayne was known for his kindness, generosity, and sincere friendship. If you were lucky enough to play pinochle with him, you got to see his competitive side too! He loved his friends, he loved his family, and he loved his community. He believed in giving back and you could find him volunteering at the church run thrift store and anywhere else that needed a helping hand. Although he changed his career path away from education, he had a fondness for learning and children. He loved volunteering at the elementary school and helping kids with their school work. He claimed the hardest part of that job was getting up out of the tiny desks!
Wayne is dearly missed. He is preceded in death by his parents Edgar and Judith Drogemuller and his brother Preston Drogemuller. He is survived by his brothers Lee and Peter (Julie) Drogemuller and sister Annie (Roger) Schlosser, as well as his many nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 on April 29, 2022 at Trinity Lutheran Church located at 902 Kennedy St, Burlington, KS. Following the service will be a luncheon. All are welcome.
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