Obituary of Wayne Northey

A funeral service for Wayne Northey, age 90, of Spirit Lake, will be held Friday, December 22, 2023 at 11:00 AM at United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake. Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery in Spirit Lake. A visitation for Wayne will be on Thursday, December 21st from 4:00-6:00 PM at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake.

To watch the livestream or the recording of Wayne's funeral, click on the link: https://www.youtube.com/@SLUMC/streams

Wayne Victor Northey was born November 29, 1933, to Sidney “Sid” Hugh and Maude Miriam Tritle Northey.   He was born in the family’s farm home at Spirit Lake, Iowa.  He attended North Superior School his first five years of school.  At the start of 6th grade, he entered Spirit Lake Community School and graduated from there in 1951.

Wayne loved growing up on the farm, playing with his best friend Jack (his dog), riding his pony, Beauty,  participating in 4-H and helping his father.

After graduation Wayne stayed home a year working on the farm.  In the evening he and a friend worked at the drive-in movie washing windshields and selling popcorn!  He entered Iowa State in the fall of 1952 majoring in Farm Operations and Ag Education.  He pledged FarmHouse fraternity which played a big role in his life.  Wayne was President of the college YMCA, a member of Cardinal Guild, the student governing body, and was named Outstanding Military Student in ROTC.  

Wayne met the love of his life, Margaret Hill, at Collegiate Methodist church where both were active.  They were married in 1955 and completed their degrees in 1956.  Following graduation they moved to Lawton, Oklahoma where Wayne began his active military service at Ft Sill.  He spent the summer of 1957 at Camp Desert Rock in Yucca Flats, New Mexico.   Wayne commanded the Motor Pool during the last of the atomic bomb testing.  While in Oklahoma Wayne served as President of the Sunday school class of over 100 young married students.   He also took agriculture law courses from the local college. 

They returned to Spirit Lake in August 1958 to begin farming with Wayne’s parents, raising corn, beans, hay, cattle and hogs.  Wayne continued to serve in the Army reserve as Battery Commander in Estherville and on the Battalion Staff in Humboldt. They were blessed with  two children,  William “Bill” Howard and Nancy Ann.   Their school and 4H activities were highlights of the years they were at home.

Bill, Nancy and her husband, Doug, all received degrees in Agricultural Business from Iowa State.  They returned to Spirit Lake where Nancy and her husband entered into the cattle and crop  operation in 1985.  In time it grew more specialized as a grain farm.  Bill and Cindy farmed with Sid and Maude and Bill later served as  Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. Sharing life together as a family in the same community was a joy. His six grandchildren became the fourth generation to graduate from Spirit Lake High School.  Wayne loved following their many activities with Margaret.

When the local Methodist congregation voted to replace their 1914 sanctuary, Wayne was honored to serve as chairman of the building committee.  Margaret referred to that as his “3 years of full-time missionary service”.  He served as Iowa Cattlemen’s Tax Committee Chairman, and on the National Committee.  He was President of the area Farm Credit Association and served on the Omaha District Board.  Wayne served as President of the Iowa Farm Business Association, was  a founder of the NW Iowa Cyclone Club and was Chairman of the Northwest Iowa Planning and Development Commission.  He was named an Iowa Master Farmer in 1987 and received the Dickinson County Outstanding 4H Alumni  Award.   He served as Chairman of RIDES (Regional Transit Authority).  He and Margaret were named Iowa State Parents of the Year in 1982.

Wayne was elected a Dickinson County Supervisor in 1988.   He served 22 years and enjoyed the work very much.  He was a man of faith who loved our country, Dickinson County, beautiful fields of corn and beans , watching  God’s creation on the shores of Big Spirit Lake, the Cyclones, and  helping people..

Wayne’s heart was to love and care for people, which was evident in how he lived each day. He often shared a word of encouragement, his appreciation,  and a treat for those who helped them at their home or on the farm.  He loved to learn others’ stories and celebrate their accomplishments. For several years, he delivered Vacation Okoboji magazines to area businesses. He built a special network of friendships throughout the area and was so proud of the people in his community.

Most of all, he loved Margaret, his children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren.

Wayne passed away peacefully on December 12, 2023, at Accura Healthcare in Spirit Lake at ninety years of age.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Margaret, son Bill (Cindy) Northey,  daughter Nancy (Doug) Pringnitz, 6 grandchildren- Jessica (Thomas) Meierotto, Emily (Eric) Brown, Katie (Eric) Mattson, Andy (Samantha) Pringnitz, Anna (Michael) Chalmers and Alex (Sierra) Pringnitz, 10 great- grandchildren- Margaret, Paul, and Eleanor Meierotto,  Ava and Jack Brown, Zoe Mattson, Lake, Crew and Ash Pringnitz, and Oliver Northey Chalmers. He is also survived by his sister, Lois Ann Bartell in Virginia.    He was preceded in death by his parents.  

Memorials may be given to the Spirit Lake Community School Foundation (Wayne was a founding member) or a charity of choice.