Wayne F. Lubinus, 94, West Fargo, ND, formerly of Salem, SD, passed away Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at Bethany on University in Fargo, ND. Private family burial will be held Friday, September 30 at Sun Prairie Baptist Cemetery rural Salem, SD.  Following burial, a Celebration of Life & Remembrance will be held at Kinzley Funeral Home in Salem beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Wayne was born August 11, 1928, to Martin and Emma (Wobig) Lubinus on the family farm northwest of Salem.  He went to a one-room school and then graduated as Salutatorian of his class at Spencer High School.  In high school he played basketball.  He began farming after high school graduation. Wayne served in the US Army from April 1951 – April 1953.  After he was honorably discharged, he returned to Salem and resumed farming.  During this time he also drove school bus for the Salem School District several years.  In 1967 Wayne became a rural mail carrier for the US Postal Service.  He held this position for 30 years, retiring January 1, 1998. He served as president of the South Dakota Rural Letter Carriers Association for two years while he worked for the Postal Service.

On September 23, 1956, Wayne and Audrey Mullet were united in marriage at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Canova, SD. Shortly after marriage they moved to a farm one mile north of Salem where they raised their family.  They lived on the farm their entire married life. Audrey passed away July 19, 2015.  They were very active at Sun Prairie Baptist Church rural Salem.  Wayne had a strong faith that he shared with his family and friends. Over the years he held several leadership roles at Sun Prairie. In 2017 Wayne sold the farm and moved into Salem.  A few months later he moved to New Perspectives Senior Living in West Fargo. He made many new friends and was very active while living at New Perspectives, but Salem was always home.  He was an avid dominoes player and participated in a variety of other activities at New Perspectives.  Wayne was very in tune to the needs of the other residents and especially kind and patient with those who suffered from dementia and Alzheimer’s. He also enjoyed Bible studies, gospel music, exercising and watching the Minnesota Vikings.

Wayne is survived by his children. Daniel (Joy) Lubinus, Brooklyn Park, MN, Karen (Mark) Foland, Midland, SD, Pamela (Jeff) Kloos, Fargo, ND, and Devin Lubinus, Scotland, SD; his eight grandchildren, Blake Lubinus, Alecia (Andy) Leonard, Fred Foland, Sarah (Joe) Kennedy, Brittany (Andy) Foss, Matt Kloos, Lindsay (Tim) Rude and Kelsey Kloos.  Survivors include six great-grandchildren, Caden, Teagan, Emma, Ryan, Brody and Cooper, as well as extended family. He also leaves behind many friends including close friends, Bob and Priscilla Hansen, Dan, Jodi, and Grace Geffre.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, siblings: Bill (Lorene) Lubinus, Louie (Irene) Lubinus, Verna (Ernie) Westberg, and infant sister Myrtle.

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