Submit a PhotoWayne Minde, age 66, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus Dec 26, 2020 after a courageous 16 year battle with Lewy Body Dementia. “He fought the good fight, he finished the race, he kept the faith.” 2 Tim 4:7. We want to express our deepest appreciation to the many, many, family and friends who continued to be there for us over the years. Some of our fondest memories were those wonderful weekend visits from you at our cabin which were always filled with joy and laughter.
Born in Auburn, NY, Wayne was the oldest of 5 and spent his first 14 years on the family’s dairy farm. In 1968, his family moved to Chandler AZ. A few years after graduating from Chandler High School, Wayne entered the Bricklayer’s Apprenticeship Program. In 1982 Wayne was faced with a life changing decision; the company he worked for as a Union Bricklayer for 5 years was closing their doors. Recently remarried with no savings, but backed by his strong faith, coupled with prayer and encouragement from his wife, Wayne opened Tri-Lite Masonry. The name of the company was crucial. Wayne chose Tri (short for the Trinity—Father, Son & Holy Spirit, giving all glory to God for this new business venture). Linda chose Lite to remind them Jesus was the light of the world. They vowed that together they would be lights in their community doing business God’s way, with honesty, integrity & amazing craftsmanship.
Over the next 30 years Wayne’s business grew and evolved. Linda joined the company in the 90’s and Wayne received his general contractor’s license. Tri-Lite Masonry became Tri-Lite Builders. With this new charter, Tri-Lite graduated from secure mailboxes and outdoor grills to building entire homes. Wayne also built their personal home in Chandler and cabin in Heber/Overgaard. These projects helped Wayne discover his true passion; transforming rooms to minimize wasted space, create better functionality, or be aesthetically pleasing to the eye. This led to Wayne and Tri-Lite Builders winning multiple awards and setting the industry standard in residential remodeling specializing in kitchen and bath makeovers, additions and whole house renovations.
When not working, Wayne pursued many other interests, including hunting, flying, gardening & raising his own beef. Anyone who met Wayne immediately liked him. His gentle spirit, beautiful smile and very unique sense of humor were the key attractions. Wayne was extremely generous and devoted to his family. He faithfully served his church family in many volunteer capacities, highlighted by mission trips to Ecuador to build a school and Promise Keepers Rallies.
But the pinnacle of Wayne’s life was his unwavering faith and trust in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for his Salvation and his deep desire for all who knew him to know Jesus too.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Burton & Lois (Kuhlmann) Minde and is survived by his wife Linda, children Clint, Shelly, Jeffrey (wife Kimber) and Justin (wife Ludeen ); eight grandchildren, Czarina, Chris (wife Amri), Kiara, Robert, Tama, AJ, Bryce & Brayden; four great grandchildren, Aiden, Aryah, Emma and Masina; four siblings, Ellen, Eric (wife Theresa), Marie (husband Don) & Steven, two surviving aunts and one uncle and numerous cousins.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 16, @ 10am at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Chandler AZ. Due to COVID, seating is extremely limited. For the safety of our family and friends, the service will be taped and saved to Epiphany’s YouTube Page by the following Tuesday.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtoImlXG1uoFvYx7S7fNQZA/playlists?view_as=subscriber
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Lewy Body Dementia Association (www.lbda.org ) or Epiphany Lutheran Church (www.epiphanychandleraz.org ).
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Hello, I don’t know if you remember me but I worked with you all several years ago when Michilyn was there. Wayne was very kind, funny and easy to work with and be around. May he rest in the peace of the Father.
So sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
Thinking of you
Looking forward to the day we meet in Heaven my friend who can do anything. Wayne knew how to do everything. God bless him!
A saint has been called to heaven but the footsteps of faith that Wayne left for us here on earth will be with us always until we meet him in heaven as well. What a privilege to know him, laugh with him, have wonderful meals at their home, always loved the venison, but most of all just being around a genuine man of faith who loved others. Wayne, we miss you but we know you are now fully restored and no more pain or memory loss. Your life of faith will shine in the community letting people know the JOY of living when you know Jesus Christ.
What a beautifully written obituary. I am so sorry for you Linda and all of your family. What a wonderful man. Very talented and above all loved God. Many blessings to all of you.
Deepest sympathies & prayers.
Linda and family, Our deepest condolences on your profound loss. Hold on tight to memories for comfort, lean on your family and friends for strength, and always remember how much you are loved. Peace and love to you and may Wayne’s smile be ever present in your mind and heart.
Linda and family, You are all in my thoughts as we grieve the loss of Wayne. He was an exemplary human being. He lives in us as a model of how to live our lives. So much love and support to you.💕
We are so sorry for your loss… It was much too early for Wayne to leave this world… Jo and I have many fond memories of the both of you… I read this to Jo with a heavy heart… You two will always be in our hearts forever…
Wayne was a true light in my life. In the universe of stars, his light shown bright. Good friend, fellow board member, fellow volunteer and so much more. Heaven received a Godly warrior with Wayne.
Wayne was a very special person to me. I have never witnessed anyone who managed to handle such a grave set of challenges with such grace and good humor. He always found a way to make us laugh. I will really miss you my dear friend.
My thoughts and prayers will be with you as you gather on Saturday to celebrate Wayne’s life. May you know that the love of God enfolds you and Wayne.
Dear Linda and family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. May the Lord Jesus bring comfort and peace to you as only He can. “Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.”—Romans 8:18
We will both miss Wayne so much. I will miss his sense of humour Very much. Our thoughts and prayers go to you Linda.
💘
We had many good times with Wayne, I’m glad we had the chance to be in his life. He had a good sense of humor even in his illness, something not everyone is blessed with. We will miss him.
I am so very sorry about your loss, Linda. My condolences to your family. Hope we can get together
soon again, and hope to see you in Overgaard during the summer. God bless. Lore
Wayne was a warrior, his work ethic was like no other. Wayne taught me so much about the world of construction and life as I know it. He will be missed!!
Our thoughts, prayers, and memories will always be with you.
I will truly miss this wonderful man of God! I am so thankful for the special memory’s of being one of his caregivers…His love for Jesus and sense of humor made our time together so special and meaningful..I will keep many memory’s like our walks and watching Westerns together and lots of laughs always in my thoughts and heart…Linda your love for him and incredible care I will always remember…You are truly a Proverbs 31 Wife and life Partner…May God fill you with His Love and Comfort now and always till You see Wayne again in our true Home in Heaven…Love you dearly ……
How do I put 66 years in a comment box? We were only 11 months apart.
You were my big brother in every way. You were also their for my daughter when she needed a Father figure. You were my protector, my guide, my teacher, we both loved the construction business and hunting, you taught me so much. And, we made it through confirmation class together at Epiphany!
You and Linda were caregivers for Dad. Even though you both knew what a challenge that would be. I know that you were glad that you were the one in our family that was inflicted with this terrible disease, because you said you wouldn’t wish it on anyone. ( A very unselfish man). Then you picked up and took over being our leader, (Dad)
I will miss you so very much. I can’t say how much I love you! Until we meet again.
We are sending thoughts of love to your family. Fondly remembering the times spent on the farm, the gracious invitation and time spent in Arizona, and the many visits hosted with out Florida family.
Love Always,
Brad, Robbin and Family
We are so sorry to hear about Wayne. He certainly will be missed. Our condolences to you and your family. See you soon.
Wayne was one of the good ones. I pray for divine measures of peace for the whole family through this time.
Wayne and his company, Tri-Lite, gave me the best gift of my life – a wheelchair accessible bathroom. It was so much more than I could have imagined. I believe Wayne’s generous heart came from his deep faith and guiding light – Jesus Christ. Blessed repose and eternal memory.
I Loved working with Wayne and Tri-Lite over the years. When meeting with clients I always reassured them that I had known Wayne my whole life, as my Mother and Wayne’s father had grown up on adjacent farms on the finger lakes in upstate New York!
Wayne was a Jewel, We will miss him.
He will be missed…….
Loved seeing you two out walking the dog in Heber.
Always kind and patient and a joy to visit with.
Take care of each other,family. Cherish those memories.
Over the years any gathering that Wayne was at was a blessing. His joyful spirit and welcoming manner was contagious. For the Minde family Wayne meant so much to many people. Wishing you comfort in the memories you will keep forever
Such a beautiful testiment this is to Wayne. He had an amazing life. Always enjoyed when Uncle Burton and Aunt Lois would bring the family back summers to Scipio and we would catch up. Gone way to soon. Thinking of you. Hugs to all from his New York family.