Wayne Sheveland, 87 of Akron, Iowa, passed away on Friday, February 17, 2023 at his home.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Akron. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Akron with military honors provided by Hoschler American Legion Post 186. Visitation with the family present will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m., all on Monday, February 20, 2023 at Rexwinkel Funeral Home.

Expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com .

Wayne Curtis Sheveland was born on September 20, 1935 in Clarkfield, MN to Thebert and Marion (Anderson) Sheveland. He was raised on a farm and attended school in Hanley Falls, MN. At a young age, he would help with chores on the farm: feeding horses, pigs, and milking cows. When he was 13 years old, he stayed at the neighbors to help with their chores. He would then ride his bike 3 miles to school so he could beat the bus home to begin work sooner! The summer he was 15 years old, he spent working 10-12 hour days for another farmer bailing hay and painting farm buildings. Wayne graduated from Hanley Falls High School in 1953. He then went to work in Minneapolis, MN doing manual labor for the Railroad. He was soon promoted to bookwork, payroll, and ordering supplies. Wayne said he would have loved to be a train engineer.

Wayne then enlisted in the United States Navy where he was stationed in Norfolk and served during the Korean War. He spent four years traveling and serving aboard the USS Taconic (AGC-17); they went to Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Turkey, Greenland, Caribbean Islands, Panama Canal, and Bermuda. The ship even transported President Eisenhower's car. Wayne said those four years were the easiest four years of work he ever had. He did learn the trade of welding during his time in the Navy and did repair work on the ship.

After being honorably discharged, he began doing construction work with his brother Wesley. They built grain elevators across Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Wayne was united in marriage to Natalie Ann Brown on January 8, 1960. They traveled several years for Wayne's job before making a home in Orange City, Iowa where he then worked for Tollman Welding and Manufacturing. After a few years, their family moved to Akron where Wayne and his brothers, Wesley and Dale, opened their own welding shop in 1965. A year later Dale joined the Navy  and four years later Wesley moved back to Minnesota. Wayne did repair work at his shop for farmers, truckers, and others in a large radius. Wayne also made bell towers for two local churches, flag poles, railings for indoor and outdoor steps, worked on ready mix plants in Akron, and fertilizer plants in Hawarden. Wayne also created all the metal work at Trinity Lutheran Church in Akron where he was a long time member. Wayne put in long hours and worked hard at his job.  He was a true blacksmith and could repair anything made of iron. He would say 'Hard work doesn't hurt anyone – and I did a lot of it!' Wayne instilled a strong work ethic in his children.

Wayne retired in 1997 and his son David took over the shop. Wayne would still stop daily to check in with town news and lend a hand or give advice if needed on work projects. Wayne loved to play pinochle so much that after retirement 'Wayne's World' card parlor was born in a vacant office rental in the shop where Wayne and his friends would play card games daily at 5 a.m.

Wayne was never idle. He had a big garden every summer where he always grew enough produce to share with friends and neighbors. He had a large lawn that he took great pride in keeping immaculate. He also did some repair work around his home and outbuildings.

Wayne was also a board member and groundskeeper for Riverside Cemetery in Akron. He was very particular about his work and kept the cemetery looking beautiful.

Wayne was a 50+ year member of the American Legion and belonged to Hoschler Post 186 in Akron. He was Post Commander and County Commander among other positions. He was able to recruit a record number of new members for the Legion.

Wayne and Natalie enjoyed going on trips with friends and liked to frequent the casinos. They also enjoyed family get togethers in Minnesota.  Wayne enjoyed family and had a great time being a grandpa and great grandpa. He enjoyed laughing and joking with the kids; and he always had chocolate bars and ice cream for them. Wayne's smile and jokes will be missed.

Wayne is survived by his four children: Wendi (Jerry) Ruhland of Hawarden, Iowa, Wanda (Tim) Johnson of Akron, Iowa, David Sheveland (Misty) of Akron, Iowa, and Chad Sheveland of Sioux Falls, SD; seven grandchildren: Joe (Kayla) Ruhland, Tracy (Justin) DeBruin, Shaun (Molly) Ruhland, Tony Johnson, Whitney Cole (Tom), Riley Sheveland, and Kaci Sheveland; ten great grandchildren; siblings: Shirley Bergthold of Rice Lake, Wisconsin, Mary (Bob) Steffl of Maple Plain, Minnesota, Dale (Karen) Sheveland of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and Merald Sheveland of Wood Lake, Minnesota; brother in law, Rod Brown; many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives;

Wayne is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Natalie; siblings: Verna (Gordon) Anderson, Mavis (Phil) Suffel, Charlene (Ted) Hays, Wesley Sheveland, Don Bergthold, and Carol Sheveland; siblings in law: Phillip Brown, Sharon (Dale) Heier, and Marilyn Brown; and nephew, Ryan Brown.