Wayne C. Bollum, 57
Wayne C. Bollum
Northfield Wayne Curtiss Bollum was born Oct. 8, 1955, at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., to Henry and Marilyn (Friedrich) Bollum. He was raised on a farm near Blue Earth and graduated from Blue Earth High School in 1974. He attended the University of Minnesota and received a bachelor’s degree of Animal Science in 1978 and later received his Masters Degree from the Carlson School of Business. Following his education he moved to Owatonna to work for the Steele County Extension service, to Albert Lea to work for First Northwestern National Bank and to the Twin Cities to work for International Multi Foods in Roseville. In the mid 1980’s he moved to the Chicago area and began working in the publishing business for the Farm Progress Company. Wayne married Jean Mary Bajadek on Dec. 30, 1988, at St. Petronille’s Church in Glen Ellyn, Ill. After marriage they made their home in Roseville and?Wayne began working with Beef, National Hog Farmer and Dairy magazines. In 1992, they moved to Apple Valley and in 1999, they bought their farm in Greenvale Township, Dakota County, just west of Northfield. Wayne started Golden Oaks Beef and continued to work as an advertising representative for Farm Journal Publications – Dairy Today. Jean passed away on Sept. 18, 2010. Wayne retired to stay home with his children and began his Golden Oaks Consulting business.
Wayne attended the Church of St. Dominic, enjoyed golfing, and liked raising Limousin and Aubrac cattle. During Wayne’s travels, he visited nearly every state of the union, as well as several foreign countries. Throughout his life he was very involved in agriculture. He was a member and past Noble Ruler of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, a member of the University of Minnesota Ag Alumni Board, a director of the MN Livestock Breeders Association, a director of the MN Limousin Association, a member of NAMA (National Agri Marketing Association), the Dakota County Fair Board, the U of M General Livestock Judging Teams and was a longtime 4-H adult leader. He was generous, had a great sense of humor, and was a loving husband and father. He was very humbled and touched by the tremendous turnout of over 500 family and friends at “Waynefest” on April 7th.
Survivors include his children, Haley, Will and Wendy; father, Henry (Sandie) Bollum, of Fairmont; brothers, Randy (Rhonda), of Airdrie, Alberta, and Terry (Heidi), of Spokane, Wash.; sister, Cindy (Neal) Grotsun, of Cold Spring; father-in-law, Charles (Pat) Bajadek, of Glen Ellyn; brother-in-law, Dan (Liba) Bajadek, of Hinsdale, Ill.; sisters-in-law, Nancy (Tim) Taylor, of St. Charles, Ill., Jane (John) Newkirk, of Glen Ellyn, Julie (Todd) Rogers, of Wheaton, Ill., and Amy (John) Caskey, of Sparta, N.J.; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean; mother, Marilyn; mother-in-law, Carole.
Wayne passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning, May 15, 2013, at his home in Greenvale Township, at the age of 57.
A service of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at the Church of St. Dominic with Rev. Dennis Dempsey officiating. Music will be provided by Joyful Noise. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Northfield. Casket bearers will be Dan Bajadek, Carol Bollum, Cory Bollum, Randy Bollum, Terry Bollum and Neal Grotsun. Visitation wil be 4-7 p.m. Monday, May 20 at Benson & Langehough Funeral Home in Northfield. Visitation will continue at the church on Tuesday one hour prior to the funeral.
Memorials are preferred to Agribusiness Educational Foundation Wayne Bollum Memorial Scholarship.
Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.