Reverend Kenneth "Wayne" Hoehns

Reverend Kenneth “Wayne” Hoehns died peacefully Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at the Stuart Community Care Center where he resided for the past two years. Wayne was born on December 27, 1927 in rural Pettis County, Missouri, to Grace Iola (Payne) Hoehns and Leo Herman Hoehns. On August 30, 1951, Wayne married Esther Marita Rosbrugh at Mt. Zion Methodist Church, rural Rockville, Missouri. Two children were born to this union, Anita Elizabeth and Kristin Kay.

Wayne received his education in rural public school at Ringen Elementary, High School in Smithton, BA Degree with a double major in English and History from Central Missouri University in Warrensburg and a Master of Theology Degree from Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas. Post Graduate Studies were completed at Garrett Evangelical Seminary, Chicago, and St. Paul’s School of Theology, Kansas City, Missouri.

Wayne was licensed as a local pastor on August 9, 1945, at the age of 17 years. He preached at Florence-Glenstead Parish, Georgetown Parish, Deepwater, Coal, Hickory Grove Parish in Missouri. He became an ordained Deacon in Dallas, Texas in 1952 and served at Mt. Vernon Parish of Hagensport, Daphne, Purley, and Wylie Memorial in Franklin County. In Iowa, Wayne served as pastor at Seymour, Promise City Parish, Attica, Olive Chapel and Zion Parish, Birmingham, Stockport, Kilbourne Parish, Fremont, Cedar and Kirkville Parish, Adair, Casey, New Bethel Parish, First United Methodist Church in Creston, First United Methodist Church in Knoxville. He retired from full time parish ministry June 30, 1992. During his time as pastor Wayne organized and led many mission work camps to the Appalachians, Black Hills, Anchorage (Alaska), Boot Hill Community in SE Missouri, and Brazil. He worked as a Veteran’s Administration (VA) chaplain part time for 20 years, retiring in 2013. Also during this time, Wayne worked three years as part time interim pastor at Christ United Methodist Church and twelve years part time visitation pastor for Grace United Methodist Church in Des Moines.

Wayne was an active Lions Club member for 47 years, most recently with the South Des Moines Lions Club. He was a Boy Scout leader for many years. He was also a member of South Des Moines Neighborhood Association. Wayne was a member of the Masonic Lodge for over 50 years, most recently with the Southgate Masonic Lodge in Des Moines. He was an active member of Melita Commandery #64 Knights Templar for over 36 years, in Knoxville, Iowa. Wayne served 9 years on the National Board of Directors for Joint Action in Community Service, Inc (JACS) which was a national service to youth joining the workforce. As a member of the United Methodist Conference, Wayne served in leadership positions as Chairman of Conference Relations Committee, Chairman of Conference Board of Pensions, and President of the Iowa United Methodist Foundation.

In his spare time, he loved to travel. He visited all 50 states, every Canadian Province, much of Europe, Scandinavia, Israel, Jordan, British Isles, parts of Central and South America.

Wayne is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 67 years, Esther Hoehns of Stuart and his daughters and their husbands, Anita and Stan Kading of Stuart and Kristin and Curt Dunlop of Portland, Oregon. Other survivors are Wayne’s siblings, Larry J. “Joe” (Roberta) Hoehns, Thomas D. “Dude” (Rachel) Hoehns, Patsy L. Lawson, Jerry L. (Carol) Hoehns, and step-sister, Evelyn Oehrke; five grandchildren, Kevin (Brianna) Schwery, Benjamin (Molly) Schwery, Josef (Krysta) Schwery, Kelly (Joel) Moore and Cody (Heather) Dunlop; ten great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother, Dorothy Hoehns; two brothers and their wives, Robert (Adelaide) Hoehns and Edward (Delores) Hoehns; brother-in-law, Charles Lawson; step-sister, Becky Ann Merk; and a nephew.

The family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, August 5, 2018 at Grace United Methodist Church, 3700 Cottage Grove Avenue. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, August 6th at the church. His cremated remains will be laid to rest at Olive Chapel Cemetery in rural Marion County, Iowa at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Grace United Methodist Foundation or a charity of the donor’s choice in loving memory of Wayne.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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