Wayne Otto Irene

Wayne Irene, 55, of Excelsior, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at home on April 5, 2024, of glioblastoma. As in life, his wife Lori was by his side. Wayne was born March 21, 1969, in Cambridge, Minnesota. He was baptized, confirmed, and married in the Lutheran faith. Wayne graduated from North Dakota State University with a degree in Construction Management and spent his career in building material sales where he developed a customer base that valued his integrity, knowledge, and hard work. In 1993, Wayne met Lori and the two spent the next 31 years together - building two homes and raising three beautiful children. It was a family Wayne loved deeply, was enormously proud of, and fought hard to spend just one more day with. Wayne also helped his community - coaching youth baseball and hockey across nearly all levels and age groups, and holding various leadership positions in their neighborhood association. Wayne was a true Renaissance man with a can-do attitude. He was the friend you wanted if stranded on a deserted island or if the chips were down. He never let an unexpected challenge or bad result deter him from making the best of every experience. We will forever miss his unshakable optimism, breadth of knowledge, fierce protection, and unwavering support. A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 24, at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour prior at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Excelsior. Former players are encouraged to wear a team jersey. A private interment will be held on Sunday, May 26, at Mound Cemetery in Ortonville, Minnesota. Memorials to the Minnetonka Youth Hockey Association or Mount Calvary are preferred. Wayne is preceded in death by his grandparents, father Gary and mother-in-law Gerry Vandeventer. He is survived by mother Jackie; wife and soulmate Lori; beloved children Annika, Anders and Tryggve; sisters Sonya (Bruce) Sanders and Alicia (Nathan) Thoreson; brother Ryan (Tracey); in-laws Gil, Kevin (Danie), Jon and Sara; and aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews - all whom Wayne adored. David Lee Funeral Home Wayzata 952-473-5577 davidleefuneralhome.com

Published on May 19, 2024