Wayne Harbitz

Wayne Harbitz, age 62, of St. James died on Thursday, December 12, 2019 at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester. Funeral services will be 11am, Friday, December 20, 2019 at First Lutheran Church in St. James. Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in St. James. Visitation will be at Sturm Funeral Home in St. James on Thursday from 4-8pm and at the church one hour before services on Friday. Wayne Harbitz, 62 of St James, passed away Thursday morning, 12 December, 2019, at St Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN. Wayne Bradley Harbitz was born October 25,1957 in St James, son of Richard and Vernell [Black] Harbitz. Wayne was baptized and confirmed at Rosendale Lutheran Church. Wayne graduated from St. James High School, 1976; and, later attended Hutchinson Vocational College. Early on in his life, Wayne loved motor sports, engaging in Moto-cross racing and Snowmobile racing. In relation to Wayne's 'need for speed', he always said, "If you didn't break a few bones along the way, you weren't trying hard enough!" Wayne was a passionate fan of sprint car racing and attended many racing events over the years. As a young man, Wayne took up single engine flight training and loved to soar across the skies as a pilot through his entire adult life. Wayne was engaged in farming the "Home" [4th generation) farm through his life and had a deep love for the land and Earth's landscape. Just this past Fall, Wayne was out harvesting corn in his combine when he looked up to watch the eagles soaring in the skies above him, Wayne shared the observation, "It was almost like they were watching me! Wayne had an engaging and outgoing personality and readily made lasting friendships with many persons he met across his travels over the years! On July 14,2012, Wayne married Terilyn [Tabatt) Karau at their farm home. Terilyn's three children (Andrew, Allison, Dylan) became Wayne's new family. Wayne soon adopted Dylan as a young teenager! In recent years, Wayne and Terilyn enjoyed sharing time traveling across the United States during periods when they could break away from the farming operation. Wayne's greatest joy came in the last six years in being a doting grandpa, "Bappa" to Aryn and Memphis. Wayne loved every opportunity to spend time with the children, making his circle of life complete! He is survived by his wife Terilyn Harbitz, children; Dylan Harbitz, Allison Karau, Andrew Karau, father and Mother-in-law Dale and Sandra Tabatt, sisters; Dianne (Tim) Pearson of Trimont, Marcy (Kirk) McDonald of Champlin, Monica (Phil) Barden of Waseca, Jane (Rodney) Wilkison of Lynd, brothers; Dale (Deb) Harbitz of Sherburn, Kevin (Jenny) Harbitz of St. James, nieces and nephews; Brian Sands, Adam Sands, Jenni Gerdes, Damon Pearson, Josh Harbitz, Matt Harbitz, Derek Barden, Chelsey Cassidy, Ryan Wilkison, Hailey Harbitz, Collin Harbitz and many extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Richard and Vernell Harbitz, infant twin brothers Gary and Larry Harbitz. Visitation 1 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Thursday, December 19, 2019 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Visitation 2 10:00 am - 11:00 am Friday, December 20, 2019 First Lutheran Church, St. James 716 6th Ave. S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 11:00 am Friday, December 20, 2019 First Lutheran Church, St. James 716 6th Ave. S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Mt. Hope Cemetery, St. James S. CR 27 St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081