Wayne Edwin Iverson

Wayne Edwin Iverson was welcomed through the gates of heaven on November 29, 2025. Wayne passed peacefully at his home with his children comforting him, and his loyal cat, Eden, curled up at his side. He was 78 at the time of his passing.

Wayne was born in Wadena, Minnesota on January 6, 1947, to his parents, Edwin and Donna Iverson. Wayne was the oldest of four children, with two younger sisters and one younger brother. Wayne grew up in New Ulm, Minnesota, where the family lived above their restaurant and bar, called Dynamite. Wayne and his sister, Naydene, helped take care of their two younger siblings while their parents ran the family's restaurant; however, Wayne preferred to be more of an entertainer and less of a diaper changer! Waye also played hockey on his junior high team.

In 1961, when Wayne was 14 1/2, the family relocated to Buhl, Idaho. In Buhl, Wayne attended high school at Buhl High School. He worked at the Texaco and also drove truck and hauled seed potatoes. Wayne was known to "drag Main" sometimes with his little brother, Bryan in tow, in his 1959 (white with red accents), Chevy Impala. Even back then, Wayne was a Chevy guy! He could often be found at the local hangout, Gibbs Cigar Store, playing cards and shooting pool. He was always joking around and if you knew him, he was telling you a joke or teasing you! Years after high school, he would still answer his home telephone saying "Gibbs"!

Wayne was a true "big brother", shifting from ultra cool kid, to socking his sister in the arm until she gave in and screamed! Wayne was 10 years older than his little brother and while getting ready to go "out on the town", would teach him how to play cards while in the bathtub by sticking the cards to the side of the tub. Some people assumed Wayne was the father of his little brother. It was a running joke between them when Bryan would refer to him as "dad" in public, followed immediately with a smirk that only your younger sibling can give you!

Wayne enlisted in the Army National Guard of Idaho and as reserve of the Army in May of 1964, before graduating high school in 1965. For 6 years, Wayne was GSR (ground surveillance radar) crew in the 1st squadron of the 116th Armed Calvery, with military qualifications in April 1968, as a Pistol 45 expert.

During his enlisted period, Wayne began dating and married the love of his life, Mary Margaret Karel, on May 18, 1968. They were married for almost 46 years at the time of her passing. Wayne and Mary raised three children: Teresa, Amy and Mark. Wayne was a source of support for their children and supported all of their individual endeavors. He coached T-Ball, little league, and high school baseball. Wayne played soft ball for the Army team and for the Green Giant team. He enjoyed taking the family on wood cutting trips, fishing trips, camping trips and to the Weiser Fiddle Festival for many years. He exposed all of his kids to his love of bowling, which he participated in for many years at Sunset Bowl with some of his closest friends and relatives. Wayne was a talented carpenter and wood finisher and spent many hours working on projects and teaching his children out in the shop. Wayne renovated their home on 14th Street in Buhl and eventually added a second story to the home also.

Wayne was also an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed many hunting trips with his dad, brother, brothers-in-law, nephews, his children and many close friends and relatives. He specifically arranged to take September 15 off work from Green Giant's corn pack each year for opening day of Chucker hunting season, which he spent with his brother and brother-in-law, Doug, hunting in Weiser, Idaho. Wayne spent decades trap shooting. Wayne also loved to fish and took many trips to Lewiston to fish for Steelhead with the Cahill's.

Wayne worked for Green Giant/Pilsbury/Seneca for well over 40 years. Although he worked hard, he made time to see his children and then his grandchildren during the busy summer and corn pack months. After meeting at the Cantine to eat, he would tour them through the warehouse or give them a lift truck or cart ride. In the grading lab, he would open a fresh can of corn for the grandkids to sample. Wayne made many wonderful friends during his time at Green Giant, who remained his friends his entire life.

Wayne also gave back to the Buhl community as much as possible. He was a volunteer fireman for over 35 years and held the position of Battalion Chief. For many years, Wayne lead the annual fire hose competition and then would help the other firemen light off the town's big firework display on the 4th of July. Wayne was also a member of the first graduating class of the QRU (Quick Response Unity) in Buhl. Wayne spent years being "on call" as both a fireman and on the QRU.

Wayne also enjoyed the time he spent helping with projects and events at the Catholic church in Buhl He especially loved helping with the corned beef and cabbage dinner and "moving the bench", and making the potato salad with the ladies of BCCW, who referred to him as "the pie man" while working in the Catholic booth at the county fair. Wayne was also an honorary 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus and helped to deliver "meals on wheels".

Later in life, Wayne took pride in having his truck clean and keeping his lawn beautifully manicured and taught his kids to "mow the right way". Wayne relocated from Buhl to Twin Falls, Idaho in 2021 to be closer to his children. Wayne enjoyed watching his grandkids at their sporting and musical events and enjoyed driving around to "see what's new". Wayne also worked to build an extensive coin collection and enjoyed testing his luck every day with lottery tickets. He loved being in the company of his loyal cat, Eden.

Throughout his life, it has been said by too many to count, that Wayne was more of a brother to them than a friend. Wayne never met a stranger. He was a wonderful provider, wise teacher, grand and great grandfather, a loving son, brother, uncle, husband, father and friend. He was our "Dadio", our "Papa Wayne" and our "Dolly". He was respected and loved. He will be endlessly missed.

Wayne is survived by his two daughter, Teresa Clancy and Amy (Taryn) Prestin; one son, Mark (Desiree) Iverson; seven grandchildren, Austin (33) and McKenzie (31) Clancy, Karson (22), Karter (22) and Taytom (16) Prestin, Brinley (22) and Braylin (17) Iverson and one great grandson, Kolter Wayne (1) Abramowski; one sister, Naydene (F.T.) Freestone and one brother, Bryan (Nancy) Iverson. Wayne is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Iverson, his parents, Edwin and Donna Iverson and one sister, LuAnn Iverson.

A celebration of Wayne's life will be held at the First Christian Church, 1005 Poplar Street in Buhl, Idaho on Saturday, December 6, 2025. A viewing for the family and friends will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. followed by the celebration at 11:00 a.m. Services will conclude with burial at West End Cemetery1574 E. 4150 N. Buhl. A reception will follow the burial at First Christian Church at 1:30 p.m.

At the family's request, we will be streaming the service live on Farmer Funeral Chapel's Facebook page. 

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the residential nursing staff at Bridgeview for being a comfort to the family (and the cat, too), and the Hospice Visions of Twin Falls, especially the in-home nursing care that added to the quality and comfort of our dad's life, those who treated all of us with compassionate care and considered our dad a friend. The family wishes any donations made in Wayne's name be sent to: Hospice Visions, LLC., 455 Park View Loop, Twin Falls, ID 83301.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Wayne's memorial webpage at www.farmerfuneralchapel.com.