Wayne Lawrence Challeen 68, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2016 at St. James hospital with family by his side. In recent years he battled through multiple heath issues, thankfully due to his strength and resilience we were gifted these last precious years.
Wayne was born on November 16, 1947 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Ronald and Dorothy Challeen. The family moved to Butte in 1948 where his dad found work in the mines.
He attended Butte public schools up until the time he lied about his age so he could enlist in the Army where he served his country in Vietnam as an Army para-trooper. He married Nancy Podgorski April 26, 1969 and they had two sons. They later divorced and Wayne turned his focus on his heli-tack fire-fighting career and attending Montana State University.
His passions early on in life were parachuting, flying airplanes and becoming educated. Continued learning and knowledge remained a mainstay throughout his life. Wayne loved astronomy and he was building computers before most people even knew what they were. If you needed an electronic item fixed like a VCR or TV he would be happy to do it. He was a daring individual and Wayne recently went to Utah on a hang gliding expedition. Wayne also cared about this world and all of our futures. He was a man who loved to debate the issues of the day with anyone who would chat.
Later in life when physical limitations prevented him from piloting and parachuting, all of his energy was happily poured into his grandchildren. Family meant everything to him and his needs always came last when a family member or grandchild needed something. You would have to look long and hard to find a better grandparent.
Wayne was preceded in death by both of his parents; siblings, Denny, Jerry and Donna. He is survived by brother, Lonnie Challeen; sisters, Nancy Olsen and Linda Sue Challeen; his sons and daughters-in-law, Wayne and Monica Challeen, and Mike and Julie Challeen; grandchildren, Amanda (Kitt) Williams, Thomas, Nicholas, Kale, Lexus, and Sevanna; along with his great grandson; Korbin Williams; and extended family, Selena, Brigitte, Kevin, and Aidan.
His nephew Kevin and wife Amelinda Olsen along with his niece Holly Ostoj also held a special place in his heart.
Wayne developed strong friendships with the "coffee crew" at McDonalds and usually met them daily to discuss issues and boast about family. He became close to this group along with his niece Jennifer Pollard who works there and the family would like to thank all of these people for the friendship and social outlet they provided Wayne.
Friends are asked to join the family on Thursday at 4:00 PM in the Duggan Dolan Mortuary Chapel for a celebration of his life. A reception will follow services. Memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675, or the local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.