Wayne E. Fogo

Wayne Eugene Fogo was born on October 5, 1950, at Beloit, Kansas, to Loren and Nina Fogo, Burr Oak. He departed this life April 12, 2011, at his home at the age of 60 years old. He is survived by sister Joyce and brother-in-law Roger Palmer, of Osborne, Kansas; sister Connie and brother-in-law William Blankenship, of Blue Hill, Nebraska; niece Kelly and husband Shalan Palmer, their children Gracey, Trey, Gabby, and Harley, of Osborne, Kansas; and, niece Sarah Palmer of Liberal, Kansas. Also surviving are several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and his nephew Brett Palmer.

Wayne lived on the family farm 2 miles south and 3/4 miles west of Burr Oak, Kansas. His early years were spent living in a home on the “Overman place”. The house had no plumbing, and water was pumped from a cistern. Often the taste of dead frogs prompted our father to pour some foul-tasting disinfectant into the cistern. The "necessary room" was a typical little two-holer situated a hundred yards or so from the house, with the usual supply of catalogs, bugs, spiders, and lizards.

While most of the farm animals and livestock were kept at Grandma Maud's house 1/4 mile to the west, there was a hen house and a brooder house at our place. One day our father went into the hen house and, mysteriously, there were eggs thrown all over the interior, with yolks and egg whites dripping down the walls. One mysteriously-absent little boy could not be found. Only one of us would remember the consequences of that little fiasco; but, he is not here today to tell us.

In 1957 the family moved westward to live with our grandmother, Maud Fogo, to take care of her in her time of failing health. There, we had the benefits of running water and modern plumbing. Wayne lived the remainder of his childhood and years of youth there.

Wayne attended Burr Oak Grade School and Burr Oak High School. He played saxophone in the band and participated in basketball. After high school, he completed a course in farm mechanics at Beloit Vo-Tech, attended Cloud County Junior College, and joined the National Guard at Mankato, Kansas. In 1975 he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer after joining the Guards and was given an honorable discharge. He returned to
the family farm. His cancer was successfully treated. Five years after the first cancer diagnosis, the cancer returned and he was again successfully treated.

In 1978 Wayne purchased a house west of Burr Oak along the White Rock Creek, flanked by Joy Michael’s house on the west and Florence Hedley's house on the east. He returned to farming with his parents until their death. After the farm was sold, he worked for different farmers in the area.

The Lord Jesus Christ was always at the center of Wayne's life. From the time he was a baby until his later years, he attended the Burr Oak Church of the Nazarene, where he became a member. He was active in his local church as well as in community church events. In later years he attended the Evangelical Free Church in Hastings, where he made many new friends.

Wayne lived his life with the sole purpose of serving the Lord and serving others. One of his greatest joys was assisting people who needed transportation to appointments, delivering meals, shopping, picking up medicines for those who could not go and do for themselves. He liked spending time with people who enjoyed visiting and eating popcorn. He looked forward to drinking coffee with friends at the Burr Oak Cafe. Community and family history was of great interest to him. Wayne loved to read and had hundreds of books, especially, books on Christianity.

He had little interest in material things, but cherished God’s creation -- people, nature, and animals. Wayne loved to sing. He thought his cancer surgery would probably bring an end to his singing. But, through the healing power of God, his vocal chords were restored; and, with practice he began singing again. He shared other peoples' sorrow by singing at funerals. He sang of God's love and the comfort God could give when called upon.

We celebrate Wayne’s life today, and we will miss him dearly. No doubt he is singing now in the presence of his Lord.
“To God be the glory, great things He has done.
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son.
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin.
And opened the life gate that all may go in”

A memorial celebration life service for Wayne E. Fogo, will be (was) held Thursday, April 21, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church, Burr Oak, Kansas, with Pastor Randy Madison officiating. Music will be (was) provided by Wanda Fraiser, pianist, and Diana Ord, soloist. The hymns will be (were) “In the Garden” and “Amazing Grace”. In honor of all of Wayne’s friends, we would like you to serve as a honorary bearer. We did not want to miss someone and space is limited, so please accept our heart felt apology and know we considered your service at this time of sorrow. Inurnment followed the service in the Burr Oak Cemetery, Burr Oak, Kansas. The family request memorials be given in Wayne’s name to the charity you prefer or the family will name memorial charities and church at a later date. Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, is (was) in charge of services.