Norman “Wayne” Goertzen, 82, passed away at Wesley Towers, Hutchinson, KS on February 2, 2024. He was born March 7, 1941, in Hutchinson, KS to Carl and Edna Goertzen. Wayne graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1959. On November 24, 1962, he married the love of his life Diane Faye Lintecum in Hutchinson. They shared 56 years together until her passing in August of 2019. They were blessed with three sons, Kevin, Kurtis and Kreg.
Wayne loved dirt track racing and took many family vacations to see relatives and attend races in Oklahoma as well as all the local tracks. He started his work career as a meat cutter at Klassen’s Market in Buhler followed by time at Lear’s Meat Market and Winchesters Packing Plant in Hutchinson. Wayne bought his first farm in partnership with his father-in-law, Wimpy Lintecum, in 1966 and began to grow his cattle and hog herds in addition to growing wheat, milo and alfalfa. In 1972 Wayne started working at Dillons warehouse in the produce department until he retired in June 2005 after 33 years of loyal service. He was a proud member of the Teamsters Local 795. In 1981, Wayne and his sisters purchased and ran Porky’s Palace at the Kansas State Fair for several years. Wayne loved providing quality food and visiting with many friends as they passed thru the Midway.
Wayne is survived by his sons, Kevin Goertzen (Vicki) of Andover, Kurtis Goertzen (Sally), Hutchinson and Kreg Goertzen (Brenda), Wichita. He cherished his 5 grandsons Kaleb Goertzen of Austin, TX, Tanner Goertzen (Darely Gutierrez) of Wichita, Cole Goertzen of Lawrence, Chase Goertzen of Wichita, and Cody Goertzen of Hutchinson. He was so excited to welcome his great-granddaughter Elizabeth Gutierrez-Goertzen of Wichita this past March. Wayne is also survived by his brother Richard and sisters Janice (Charles) Griffin and Carla Crane all of Hutchinson as well as many nieces and nephews that Wayne loved spending time with and hearing about their adventures.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Edna, his wife Diane, his in laws Ewell “Wimpy” and Florence Lintecum, sister-in-law Darlene Goertzen, brothers-in-law, Jerry Crane and Robert Lintecum.
Memorial service will be 10 am Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at Elliott Mortuary. Burial will follow in Partridge Cemetery. Everyone is welcome to join the family for a lunch at 12:00 pm at Friendly Bingo, 106 W. 1st Ave, Hutchinson. Visitation will be Monday, February 12th from 6 to 8 pm at Elliott Mortuary. Friends may sign the book from 9 am to 5 pm Monday, February 5th through Saturday, February 10th at Elliott Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer Association, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.