Wayne W. Klopfenstein

October 14, 1921 – June 9, 2010

Wayne was born at home on the farm in Seward, NE. His parents were James Glen and Mabel Eicher Klopfenstein. His brothers and sisters were : Zola Rediger, Fern Garber, Bernice Hauder, Dorothy Morningstar, Betty Jane Klopfenstein, Theodore Klopfenstein, Edith Wogomon, Harry Klopfenstein, Keith Klopfenstein and Wilbur Klopfenstein.

During the Great Depression and Dust Bowl, his parents lost their farm and moved to Erie, PA to work on a farm. Wayne attended a one room country school for eight years before he had to quit to help his parents on the potato farm.

The family moved to South Bend, IN to work on another farm. Wayne met Miriam Fink at the Olive Mennonite Church in 1940. For two years he would borrow his father’s car, once every other Sunday, to date Miriam. On November 7, 1942, Wayne and Miriam were married at Miriam’s parents, Irvin and Maud Culp Fink’s, farm in Wakarusa, IN. They lived with Wayne’s parents for 6 months.

Wayne left for C.P.S. (Civilian Public Service) in August 1943. He served C.P.S. at Hill City, SD building a dam. In March 1944, he went to Marlboro, NJ and worked in a state mental hospital for two years.

In 1946, Wayne and Miriam moved to Edna Abel’s farm which was one mile from Miriam’s parent’s farm. After a year, they moved to Uncle Harvey Fink’s dairy farm which was across the road from Miriam’s parent’s farm. They milked over 30 Guernsey cows and raised hogs and chickens.

In January 1955 they moved to Colorado Springs with six of their children. Douglas was born in August of that year. They rented a house for several months before they bought a two bedroom house at 2018 Sheldon Ave. In 1956 they purchased a two story house at 2015 Manitou Blvd. Wayne thought the soil was shifting so he sold the house in 1958 and bought the house at 313 Elmwood Dr.

Their children: James 1944; Ronald 1945; Sharon 1946; Linda 1947; Roger 1949; Jack 1953 were born at Elk Hart Hospital in Elk Hart, IN. Douglas 1955 was born at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs.

When they moved to Colorado Springs, Wayne bought his first restaurant, The Dinner Bell. The restaurants Wayne owned or operated were The Dinner Bell 1955; Circle M 1956; Busy Corner; Wayne’s Fine Food (Formally Bit&Bridle); Wayne’s Steak House; Wayne’s Coffee Shop; Dinner Bell at Estes Park; Valley Café at Idaho Springs; and Wayne’s Kitchen 1979 until his retirement in 2001. He loved people and would talk to anyone who came through the door.

Wayne went elk and deer hunting on horseback in the high country every fall with ranchers from Calhan, Colorado. In 1958 he shot a 6 point trophy elk. The antlers are mounted and still hanging on their living room wall.

Wayne loved to fish. One of his favorite pastimes was gambling at dog tracks, horse tracks and slot machines in Cripple Creek and Las Vegas.

Wayne and Miriam were married for 67 years.

Wayne went into the Sunny Vista Nursing Home on April 21, 2010 and died in Hospice on June 9, 2010.

Wayne is survived by his loving wife, Miriam and seven children: Dr. James Klopfenstein (Marilyn) of Kentucky; Ronald (Verna) of California; Sharon Mullet (Art) of Kansas; Linda Francis (Greg, Deceased); Roger Klopfenstein (Patty); Jack Klopfenstein (Dara) and Douglas Klopfenstein of Colorado. Twenty grandchildren: Kriss Klopfenstein of Kansas, Cyndi Sghiatti (Phillip) of California, Paula Hensel of Colorado, Natalie Klopfenstein of Kentucky, Rachel Klopfenstein of Kentucky, Jenna Klopfenstein of Kentucky, Mike Klopfenstein (Dianna) of Montana, Debbie Cummings (Mike) of Colorado, Kerri Hill of California, Teri Banman (Jeff) of Kansas, Scott Mullet (Holly) of Florida, Sarah Francis of Colorado, James Francis (Melanie) of Colorado, Rebecca Moore (Jeff) of Colorado, Abby Klopfenstein of Colorado, Joe Klopfenstein of New York, Alena Aaron of California, Eric Klopfenstein of Colorado, Toni Klopfenstein of Colorado, Justin Klopfenstein of Colorado. Twenty nine great-grandchildren: Nicholas Araynos, Ryan Araynos, Bryanna Sghiatti, Vince Sghiatti, Raquel Sghiatti, Brittni Hensel, Taylor Hensel, Danny Klopfenstein, Anthony Armstrong, Matthew Klopfenstein, Jonathon Cummings, Peyton Cummings, Anthony Hill, Stacia Hill, Tristalle Hill, Jada Hill, Nautica Hill, Erin Banman, Nick Banman, Anna Banman, Matti Mullet, Hudson Mullet, J.W. Francis, Tanner Francis, JJ Moore, Briana Moore, Kyle Aaron, Montel Aaron, Nalani Klopfenstein as well as five great-great grandchildren.

Wayne enjoyed life to the fullest. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.