Wayne Crow, 86, passed away on October 11, 2023, surrounded by the love of his family. Wayne was born August 10, 1937, to Bruce and Edna (Smith) Crow. He grew up on a farm in Prole, Iowa attending Martensdale schools. Wayne was active in school activities and loved telling his stories about being on the basketball team. After high school, he attended Simpson College in Indianola. Wayne met and married the love of his life, Kay (Schadegg) in 1957. They were married for 60 years, and he is now reunited with her after her passing in 2018.
Wayne and Kay made their home in Norwalk, Iowa where they raised 5 children. In 1976, they moved to Echo Valley. In 1990 they moved to Plymouth, MN, returning back to Iowa in 1997 to be closer to their children and grandchildren. After Kay’s passing, Wayne moved back to Norwalk before becoming a resident of The Brio of Johnston where he received expert and compassionate care for his progressing Parkinson’s Disease.
Always a farmer at heart, Wayne had a long and successful career in agricultural sales. He traveled the Midwest meeting with distributors and farmers becoming the top salesman for his company. Wayne was so successful because of his genuine charismatic personality. Wayne did not know a stranger and instantly made people feel as though they were lifelong friends. After Wayne’s retirement, he donned his Super-Man cape and was always on hand to help a child, grandchild, friend, neighbor or stranger with whatever they needed. He thrived on helping others. Other pastimes in retirement include meeting with his friends solving the world’s problems over coffee.
Wayne is survived by 5 children; Randy (Dawn) Crow, Cindy Miller, Vicki Monaco, all of Des Moines and Shelley (Joe) White of Cape Coral, FL and Steve (Emily) Crow of Ripley, TN. Wayne is survived by a brother Larry Crow of Guthrie Center, IA and sister Maxine Bussanmas of Bevington, IA.
Wayne absolutely loved spending time with his grandchildren, and they were the light of his life. He loved helping them work on cars, providing advice and guidance and attending their various activities through the years. He will be deeply missed by his 15 grandchildren: Brian (Angel) Crow of Des Moines, Lindsay Crow of Des Moines, Missy Crow of Chicago, IL, Dylan Crow of Ames, IA, Stacie Miller of Salem, OR, Dustin Miller of Norwalk, IA, Travis Miller of Des Moines, IA, Matt (Lindsey) Monaco of Grafton, WI, Sarah Monaco and Frank Monaco of Des Moines, IA, Cassie (Nick) Schulz and Andy White of Cape Coral, FL; Tyler (Taylor) Crow of Des Moines, IA, Jay Crow of Ripley, TN and Gracie Crow of Indianola, IA. 14 Great-grandchildren, Saetia, Adrien, Nash & Ford Crow; Jaden Miller; Alora, Eden & Irie Monaco; Chloe Wheeler; Juliet Schulz; Archer, Adeline, Alder & Ander Crow.
Wayne was preceded in death by his wife Kay, his parents, brothers Lester, Dale & Donald Crow and son-in-law Larry Monaco.
A memorial service will be held in Norwalk on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at 11:00 AM at the Fellowship Community Church, 221 North Ave. Fellowship and lunch will immediately follow. Wayne will be laid to rest at a private family burial at Glendale Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association-Iowa Chapter, PO Box 643, Ankeny, IA 50021 in honor of Wayne.
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