Wayne L. Bauleke

Wayne L. Bauleke, age 70 of North Mankato and formerly of Belle Plaine and Le Sueur, died on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at his home. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine, Pastor Mark Johnson will officiate. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine and continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Belle Plaine. Wayne was born on February 27, 1942 in St. Peter to Wallace and Violet (Beseke) Bauleke. He grew up near Le Sueur on the family farm. Wayne graduated from Le Sueur High School in 1960. He had worked seasonally for Green Giant and later worked for American Can Company in Savage. He also did carpentry and construction work prior to beginning a 36-year employment with Inland Container in Shakopee where he worked as a truck driver for most of his employment. He married Erma Dahn on September 9, 1961 in Belle Plaine. She preceded him in death on December 31, 1982. He married Jo (Kreutzer) Kalis on May 10, 1993 in Las Vegas. Wayne raised his family in Belle Plaine and in 1995 moved back to the family farm near Le Sueur. He and Jo recently moved to North Mankato. He enjoyed gardening, family outings hunting for butternuts and morel mushrooms. Wayne is survived by his wife, Jo of North Mankato. Children, Kevin Bauleke of Belle Plaine, Lynda (Kevin) Rykhus of New Ulm, Paul Bauleke of Hutchinson, Annette Bauleke of Becker, Mark (Caroline) Bauleke of Eden Prairie, David (Denise) Bauleke of Sartell, Vicki (Gene) Hallman of Mankato, Michael (Heidi) Bauleke of Moundsview, and Kathy (Chris) Kukacka of St. Peter. 18 Grandchildren and 2 step grandchildren. Brothers, Elwood (Diane) Bauleke of Le Sueur and Sheldon (Louise) Bauleke of Elysian and a sister, Janice "Susie" (Charles) Rezac of Le Center Step-Son, Michael (Amber) Kalis of Shakopee Mother-in-law, Vera Kreutzer of Mankato, brother - in-law, Gary (Debbie) Kreutzer of Aspen, Colorado and sister-in-law, Andrea (Roger) Schmidt of Madison Lake.