Wayne R. Trigger, 89, of Spencer, passed away on Sunday, April 16, 2023, at St. Lukes Lutheran Home in Spencer.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 4:00pm, at Emerald Hills Golf Course in Okoboji, Iowa. Military Funeral Honors will be conducted by the American Legion Timpe Post #23 of Spirit Lake. Arrangements are under the direction of the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be left at www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com.
Wayne was born on May 27, 1933, to Charles and Pauline (Capron) Trigger in Peoria, IL. He graduated from Dunlap High School in Dunlap, IL, in 1951. Wayne went on to attend college on a baseball scholarship for a brief period before he enlisted in the US Army where he served as MP in the motorcycle unit at West Point, NY. After Wayne’s honorable discharge, he returned to the Midwest where he began a 36-year career as a successful Cattle Buyer.
Wayne married Shirley Hoffman in 1954 in Peoria, IL. While married for 27 years, they welcomed six children. They divorced in 1981 but remained in each other’s lives for all family events. Almost 40 years later, they would find themselves living next door to each other at Riverview Terrace assisted living.
Trigger, as he liked to be called, could be found most days golfing with his buddies at Emerald Hills. He would start the day swapping stories with the group at the coffee table and ending the golf day with a scotch and water (light on the water) in the afternoon. He enjoyed nature and being outdoors every chance, he had. From trying to grow a great tomato to planting beautiful flowers and plants anywhere he could, he always had a project. Watching birds, reading books, and listening to music is how he spent his quiet time. Trigger loved all his connections with friends in the area. Whenever he entered any of his favorite establishments, you could always hear a “Hey, Trigger!”
Wayne loved and enjoyed his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He had a special connection with his grandson Anthony, who had his last name changed to Trigger so that he could share his grandpa’s last name.
He is survived by his children, Mitch (Sue) Trigger of Overland Park, KS; Betsy (Joel) Rueber of Wausau, WI; Terri Trigger of Kansas City, MO; Paula Moir of Milford, IA; Joel (Valerie) Trigger of Raymore, MO; and Kati Rivera of Estherville, IA; grandchildren Brooke, Kate, Charlie, Tabitha, Hannah, Coty, Erin, Christopher, Ashley and Anthony; great-grandchildren Kesler, Aberdeen, Lucas and Morgan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bill, his son-in-law Mike Moir and his yellow lab, Jack, his faithful companion for 12 years.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Trigger’s name to the Northwest Iowa Humane Society at 607 28th Street, Milford, IA 51351 or the Dickinson County Community Garden at Spirit Lake City Hall, Attn: Wayne Trigger Memorial Community Garden Fund, 1803 Hill Ave., Spirit Lake, IA 51360.