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Wayne Orville Magnus, 78

Wayne Orville Magnus was born in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Jan. 15, 1940. He was called home to the Lord on the 26th of June, 2018, at 78 years old, surrounded by loved ones.

Wayne was the youngest of 10 children; born to Martin and Edna Magnus. As a young boy, Wayne’s family moved to Idaho in 1949. Growing up in a large family on a dairy farm, Wayne learned to work hard, to cherish family and to eat fast.

In eighth grade, Wayne met the girl he knew he would marry, Betty Jean Fountain. They walked across the stage together at their graduation from Rathdrum High School in 1958, and carved their initials together into a tree on his home farm. After four years in the Army, during which he shot on the President’s Marksman Rifle Team, he and Betty married in 1964. They moved to the Magnus farm and had two sons, Michael Wayne and Leroy Dean Magnus.

In 1972 he graduated from North Idaho College with an associates degree in science, heading for a degree in veterinary medicine. Truly the last of the Zane Grey cowboys, a lover of animals and an accomplished horseman. Wayne was a man of many talents: son, husband, father, brother, student, athlete, golfer, dancer, friend, auctioneer, announcer, Realtor, Gonzaga fan, scuba diver, skier, mentor, rancher, farmer, horse-shoer, veteran, elk hunter, fisherman, team roper, wrangler, hound hunter, actor and cowboy.

With a quick-wit and an easy laugh, Wayne was filled with a zest for life and was a grand storyteller. He intrigued all who listened with tales of his many adventures. Throughout Wayne’s life, his heart, thoughts and actions centered on his entire family and those special friends who were considered part of the family- “Honorary Magnus.”

He loved to hunt the Lochsa and fish the Bob Marshall Wilderness. He loved camping, riding his motorcycle and training horses. He loved to invent things and he could fix anything. He loved to travel with his wife and family to warm waters to scuba dive. He loved music and dancing.

Wayne was most known for his love of merriment and skill with animals. He loved his dogs and his horses. It was said of him that he could do “anything with a horse.” He ponied horses at the CDA Turf Club. He was a wagoneer in the movie “Heaven’s Gate,” which was filmed in Kellogg, Idaho. He was announcer of the CDA Rodeo as well as the Golden Gloves Boxing matches. He was a supporter of the CDA Youth Marimba group.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Edna Magnus; brothers, Roy, Dale, Earl and Ralph; sisters, Joan Williams, Lucille Lloyd, Norma Watson and Verna Raeford-Orr.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Betty, of Hayden, Idaho; sons, Michael (Elaine) and Leroy (Ligia); granddaughters, Jamie Flanagan and Natalie, Karina and Veronica Magnus; sister, Marvel (Ron) Wellborn; an adopted son, Todd Delano and family; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial celebrating Wayne’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on July 21, 2018, at Christ the King Lutheran Church. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Coeur d’Alene Youth Marimba Band (208-651-0544) or Rimrock Cemetery (208-772-3467).