Wayne Curtiss Bollum, 57

Wayne Curtiss Bollum was born October 8, 1955 at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri, to Henry and Marilyn (Friedrich) Bollum. He was raised on a farm near Blue Earth, Minnesota 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 and 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 December 30, 1988 at St. Petronille’s Church in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. 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 September 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; his father, Henry (Sandie) Bollum of Fairmont; his brothers: Randy (Rhonda) of Airdrie, Alberta; Terry (Heidi) of Spokane, WA; his sister, Cindy (Neal) Grotsun of Cold Spring; his father-in-law, Charles (Pat) Bajadek of Glen Ellyn, IL; his brother-in-law Dan (Liba) Bajadek of Hinsdale, IL; his sisters-in-law: Nancy (Tim) Taylor of St. Charles, IL; Jane (John) Newkirk of Glen Ellyn; Julie (Todd) Rogers of Wheaton; IL, Amy (John) Caskey of Sparta, NJ; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Jean, his mother Marilyn, and his 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 10AM, Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at the Church of St. Dominic with Fr. Dennis Dempsey officiating. Music will be provided by Joyful Noise. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Northfield. Casket bearers will be Dan Bajadek, Carl Bollum, Cory Bollum, Randy Bollum, Terry Bollum and Neal Grotsun. Visitation will be 4-7PM Monday at the 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. www.northfieldfuneral.com