Wayne T. Blanchard
May 25, 1935 ~ March 2, 2020
Wayne Thomas Blanchard died suddenly of natural causes on March 2, 2020. Wayne was born May 25, 1935 in Grand Forks, ND to John E. & Delores (Charboneau) Blanchard. He was the fourth of five boys.
His family moved to Fargo in 1945 and soon after he met his best friend, Dick “Stretch” Wehage. They were best friends until Stretch passed away in 2019. There are many stories of the two of them getting into mischief during their youth. Despite this, Dad graduated from Shanley High School in 1953.
Dad was a good man. He possessed a kind of goodness that no words will encapsulate, even as we attempt to put it all on paper. Dad was a servant. He served his country, but was unfailingly humble about his time overseas. In Germany post-WWII, in a time without defined battle action, he never felt justified in comparing his service to others. He was discharged from the Army in 1956.
He graduated from Interstate Business School and began a 36 year career in banking. He worked at Merchants National Bank, First Bank and US Bank. He was a personal banker with w jakie akcje inwestować and helped many people in and around Fargo over the years. He also enjoyed all of his coworkers and formed friendships with many of them.
Dad married the love of his life, Joanne Baldock, on October 26,1957. They loved fully and deeply in ways others looked to in admiration. He spoiled Mom every chance he could and they were inseparable. He cared for Mom during her final years and was devastated when she passed away in May of 2015.
Wayne and Joanne adopted Timothy Wayne in 1965 and Tami Joanne in 1967. He was an amazing Dad. Helped coach youth football, worked with the Cub scouts and just cheered us on in anything we did. He was proud of us.
He served his community by starting the Roger Maris Celebrity Golf Tournament with several of his friends, which has given over $2 million to Hospice of the Red River Valley, the Roger Maris Cancer Center, and Shanley High School. Wayne and Roger, along with other community giants, ran in the same crew at Shanley, then known as Sacred Heart Academy. After Roger's historic baseball career and his diagnosis of lymphoma, this group began the Maris Tournament to continue his legacy, making legacies of their own in the process. Wayne's legacy of service touched Shanley HIgh School perhaps the most. A recipient of the Shanley Deacon Award and a member of the Shanley Quarterback Club Hall of Fame, he spent countless hours announcing hockey games, raising money, and attending innumerable sporting events. Both of his children, as well as one grandchild, attended Shanley. It was an not merely a school, but the moral grounding that began Wayne's story. He was an usher at Holy Spirit Church for over fourty years.
One of five brothers, he loved family dinners with his parents, kids, grandkids and great grandkids. Never was a moment with family wasted. Wayne was quick to drop anything for his grandchildren, who were his greatest pride. He loved to show everyone pictures of his grandkids or tell them what they were doing in life. Paige, Parker, Amanda, Elizabeth (Nate), Brittany, and Macey (Patrick) loved time with their Papa/Grandpa and saw him often. To the very end, he was thinking of his grandchildren and how he could help them.
In recent years, his great joy was having a beer or two (MIller Lite) with his grandkids, who he regaled with stories. His incredible spirit lives on in those he touched, from his fellow soldiers to his coworkers to his children, grandchildren and friends.
Wayne is survived by his son, Tim, Fargo and daughter,Tami (Ralph) Blanchard Llewellyn, Fargo. His grandchildren: Paige (South Bend,IN), Parker (Fargo), Amanda (Omaha,NE), Elizabeth/Nate (Grand Forks,ND), Brittany (Hastings,MN) and Macey/Patrick (Fargo) and great grandchildren, Lillian, James and Amelia (Grand Forks,ND). He is also survived by his brothers Donald (Fargo) and Jim (Garden Grove, Ca) as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Wayne's legacy is one of profound goodness. His humility dictated he never wanted to be the center of attention, so much so he would hate these words being read by the masses. In that spirit, he did not want a funeral, but a celebration.
A celebration of life will be held on March 12, 2020 at Hilton Garden Inn, Fargo from 7-10 pm. There will be time to share memories and stories.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Shanley High School or Roger Maris Cancer Center.
A private family funeral will follow at a later date.
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Wayne talked me onto the Shanley hockey team, which progressed to the Fargo Moorhead Flyers, an affiliate of the Fargo Moorhead Twins. We played all those north Canadian, oops Minnesota, teams. We had only an outdoor rink, so had to play all our league games away. So I say, skate on Wayne, skate on my friend and hockey mentor.
Joanne and Wayne good friends of ours. Went to school in Hunter with Joanne. Used to visit with them at the mall. Loved them both. Lots of memories. Bless the family.
Harriet Hansen Holler and Nels Lande and family
I met Wayne many years ago while serving on the Roger Marris golf committee with him. I could say many wonderful things about Wayne, but my lasting memory will always be of Wayne as a family man, with a kind and generous heart. It is sad to say goodbye to you Wayne but I know you are in the arms of our Heavenly Father. God Bless your memory Wayne !!
Oh Wayne, how my heart hurts. I will miss our conversations. I am peaceful though knowing you are with your beloved Joanne once again. You were such an inspiration to me. A man that lived a life full of friendships….. and a true man of God and his lessons in life. Your smile and quick wit will radiate in my memories of you. God speed. Give Joanne a hug for me. I am sure my Tom is up there, waiting to share a “Lite Beer by Miller” and a burger with you. Love you, my friend.❤️🙏
We will miss sweet Wayne! Happy to have so many pics with him because we always had to take a new one when we tailgated. Happy that Wayne & Joanne are together again but we are so sad to say goodbye to him. Prayers for Wayne’s family🙏🏻❤️ Laurie & Rick Steen
There are a very few people who are so kind that no words properly describe them. Wayne is one of them. He was my friend, my banker, and the source of the best kind of humor. Try as hard as I could I could never get him to say an unkind word about anybody. The picture on this site shows the Wayne from Shanley High through today. As humans go, he was a great man, husband and father and the world is better because he was here. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.
Wayne, You will be missed greatly!!! I’m so happy to have known you the last 22 years. My heart hurts. Rest in peace!!!
Jen
The George Surprise Family sends our sincere sympathies to daughter Tami, granddaughter Paige and family. Wayne and Joanne made our trip from Kansas City to Fargo each year for the Roger Maris golf tournament so special! We will miss our visits but know that he and Joanne are reunited! Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you!
I was a classmate of Wayne’s (Shanley 53) and was a banker in Fargo but different bank. I’m in Arizona for the winter so will have to miss the event on the 12th but will be there in spirit. I would run into Wayne at West Acres a few times during our morning walks and always enjoying our talks. Wayne was a really good guy and will be missed.
Wayne was one of the truly great guys. He will be very much missed.
Wayne and I played softball,both slow pitch and fast pitch together for many years. He was a great teammate and we had many wonderful times together.
What a nice guy!!
Bob Wolter
Sun City, Arizona
I knew Wayne for many years as he and my husband Dave were in banking together. He got us involved volunteering many years at the Shanley Auction and helping with the Roger Maris Tournament, etc. He was a good guy and eager to help out where needed. It won’t be the same not seeing Wayne at the Roger Maris Tournament!
Prayers to the family at this sad time. I won’t be able to make it to the funeral as I am wintering in Arizona.
Hi,
Please pray for Wayne & his family. Funny how life works. Wayne was more of a friend to my Dad than Me, as they were of similar ages. They both worked for Merchants Nat’l bank, then 1st Bank. Wayne also worked for USBANK, before retiring. I also worked for for 1st Bank, & USBANK, & still do.
Wayne also went to Interstste Business College, as I did, though many years apart from each other. 😆 lol.
Eventually Dad & Wayne played softball 🥎 together in Old Pro league. Once I reached that magic age of 50, I joined them playing on Minko Construction 🏗 too. That’s when I got to know Wayne a bit more. What a wonderful man. We had a few Miller lights along with he way as tailgated on Thursday Nights, after fiercely competing in 2 softball 🥎 games. Not everyone gets to share something like this with their Father, so I’ve been blessed. Sometimes because Wayne was so involved with the Roger Maris Golf tournament he would Kevin Maris I believe it was stop by & tailgate with us a bit. Wayne got me a Roger Maris 61 for 61 St. Louis Cardinals baseball cap. Eventually Dad, Wayne, & I “retired from those brutal 😊 Thursday night’s.
Wayne & I also shared one other thing in common, our faith. Sometimes I would catch Saturday evening Mass @ Holy Spirit, & Wayne was often an Usher @ that Mass. We would usually get a quick little conversation in at the beginning of Mass, and maybe a bit of one after Mass as well. I will miss those. One time when I was volunteering @ Sanford bringing Communion to patient’s there, I brought our Lord & Savior to Joanne’s room. Wayne was there too. That bonded us a bit as well.
One of the things we often talked about was going back to watch Minko play on in softball these days, we would go and watch them, and tailgate again afterwards, we never followed through in doing that. But now I believe Wayne has the best seat in the House as He Cheers them on, & prays for them. RIP dear Wayne. Please pray for Me as well. You will be missed. Love, Greg❤️🙏🏼🤗👍🥎.
I met Wayne through his beautiful daughter, Tami Joanne. Wayne had his own special brand of kindness, laced with a lovely little bit of sass. He was honest as the day is long…but always kind. (How did he do that?!) He was always concerned about his kids and grandkids. I told Tami many times that he reminded me so much of my own dad….had they met they would have been great friends with their shared love of golf and high school sports…and their willingness to quietly volunteer wherever and whenever needed!! I hope that Wayne & Joanne are sitting in the heavenly stands with Floyd & Ruby. Miss you Wayne….so much.
Loving thoughts and prayers to Tami, Paige, and family. Love you all.
Sharon Syrdal – Fargo ND
Very Sorry of the Passing of your Dad, I also worked at First Bank/USBank and your Dad was always Kind, Funny and Very Respected. You are all in my Prayers,,,,🙏
My thoughts and memories go back to the days of fast pitch and slow pitch softball. Wayne was one of the teammates and we enjoyed many fun times! Wayne was a great person and I enjoyed his friendship through the years and I will miss him.
Dear Blanchard family, My condolences to all of you on the loss of such a great man with a huge servant heart. When I think of a true “Deacon” the name and face of Wayne Blanchard come immediately to mind. Wayne epitomizes what it means to be a Deacon and servant leader. We were all blessed to know him and are better people because of him. He was a master at deflecting praise, always giving credit to others around him, although we knew better and realized Wayne was the person who deserved the accolades. When you had him pinned down because there was no one he could deflect the credit to, he immediately changed the subject to applaud something else; like the triumphs of your kids, his kids, his grandchildren, something you had done for others, etc. And he always did it with a sly smile on his face. I so cherish all the conversations and interactions I had with Wayne, because I always walked away feeling better and learning more about Christian service. Wayne will be missed by all, but the memories we have and lessons we learned live on. May God bless you all at this time of loss, may your memories be warm and many, and thanks for sharing this great man with all of us.
Wayne was truly the backbone of the Roger Maris Golf Tournament. I had the honor of serving on the committee for the tournament with Wayne for many years.
I worked with your dad for many years at First Bank/US Bank and always enjoyed my interactions with him. For a time, decades ago, I used to have to visit him at his desk each morning to review overdrafts. He was such a nice man, and had a great sense of humor! In more recent years I would occasionally see Wayne at West Acres. I’m sorry to have missed the celebration. I was out of town. It sounds like you have oodles of warm and treasured memories to hold onto. The world has lost a good man.