Wayne Allen Shortess, 73, of Turtle Lake passed peacefully at home surrounded by family, on October 29, 2024. He was born May 20, 1951, in Amery, WI to Stephen and Marjorie (Barrett) Shortess. Wayne graduated from Turtle Lake High School. After spending sometime exploring Europe, he worked construction for a short period of time in the Twin Cities before returning to his roots in the Moon Lake Valley.

Wayne married the love of his life, Sharon Rose Klingelhoets, on May 26, 1973, at St. Ann Catholic Church. Wayne purchased Moon Lake Valley Stock Farm from his father in July of 1975, milking dairy cows and raising three children. In 1987 Wayne took a job at Andersen Windows in Bayport, MN. He worked the graveyard shift when possible. This allowed him to sleep during the day and milk cows in the evening. While his father, Steve and wife, Sharon, milked the cows in the morning. In 1987 Wayne sold his dairy cows in the Dairy herd buyout, transitioning the farm to a beef operation. After a trip out west and seeing a herd of Red Angus along a hillside, Sharon and Wayne decided to transition their herd from Polled Herford to the Red Angus operation, purchasing their first purebred animals in the late 1990s. On January 6th of 2000 Moon Lake Valley Stock Farm became a certified member of Red Angus Association of America Inc. until Sharon's death in 2003. Wayne retired from Andersen Windows in the spring of 2007 to a life of full time beef farming, so much less work than "Real cows". Wayne prided himself on hard work and those values were passed on to his children and grandchildren.

Wayne also enjoyed hunting and spending time with his friends and family. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren. In "Wayne's World" he had his own set of rules. One being, girls have no rules at Grandpa's house and if you get into trouble call Grandpa he's got the bail money. Grandpa Wayne would always tell the kids to make sure you have some jiggle in your jeans and nothing good happens after midnight.

He is survived by his son, Ryan (April) Shortess of Turtle Lake; daughters, Kristi (Ryan Walberg) Bauer of Baldwin and Rebecca (Jeffrey) Wright of Turtle Lake; grandchildren: Alexandra Shortess, Ryan Shortess Jr., Kalli Bauer, Brianna Bauer, Brandon Wright, and Isabella Wright; brother, Warren (Julie) Shortess of Turtle Lake; sisters, Sharon (Wayne) Dunemann of Rochester, MN; Daena Shortess (Jeff Wylie) of Frederic; nieces and nephews, and other family and friends.

Wayne preceded in death by his wife, Sharon Shortess; parents, Stephen and Marjorie Shortess; brother, Dale; parents-in-law, Frank and Rose Marie Klingelhoets, goddaughter, Michelle Newville; and her daughter, Stephanie Newville.

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Saturday, Nov 2, 2024, at St. Ann Catholic Church with Father Jayanna Kanna officiating. Burial will be in St. Ann Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10-11 AM at the church.

Skinner Funeral Home of Turtle Lake is serving the family.

Last Update: Nov 01, 2024 1:24 pm CDT