Wayne C. Stock of Tampa, FL died on November 11, 2022. The son of Carl and Hazel Bestel Stock, he was born August 1, 1935 and grew up on a farm in Land Township, Grant County Minnesota where he learned the values and rewards of hard work. He was baptized at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Swan Lake Township, on August 25, 1935 and confirmed at Bethel Lutheran Church, Hoffman, on May 15, 1949. He was salutatorian of the Hoffman High School Class of 1953.
Wayne attended the University of Minnesota following graduation. In 1955 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving until 1959. Being a kid at heart, his career in the toy manufacturing industry suited him well. After a number of years at Tonka Toys in Minnetonka, Minnesota his career led him to Little Tikes, Rubbermaid and finally to StepTwo. Although his work took him from Minnesota to Boston to California, from Toronto to Kentucky to Ohio, he was ever mindful of his Minnesota roots. After his retirement and relocation to Florida in 2005 he became a regular at the food pantry of Atonement Lutheran Church, serving several days each week until August of 2022.
Surviving are his sister Kathleen Kloos, sister-in-law Barbara Stock, niece and nephews Kari Kloos, Stuart & Chris Stock, Bret Kloos & Suzanne Swan, Eric Kloos & Maria Wolff, great-nieces and nephews Michala Stock & Paul Morse, Meredith Stock, Barbara Banner, Sarah Swan Kloos, Bee Swan Kloos, Greta Kloos, Ruby Merlyn Morse, Sebastian Stock & Satori Pyle and Leo Kloos; several Stock and Bestel cousins; a host of friends and his beloved pets Fluffy, Ivan and Oreo.
Preceding him in death are his parents, brother Merlyn Stock, brother-in-law Richard Kloos and niece Kathryn Stock Banner.
A service is planned for 2pm January 28, 2023 at Atonement Lutheran Church in Wesley Chapel, Florida (in the Tampa Bay area) and at Hoffman in the summer of 2023.
Memorials may be directed to Atonement Lutheran Church, 29617 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543, designated for the Food Pantry ministry.
Wayne was my Stepdad from 2002 to 2008. He was married to my mom Suzanne Stock. We lived in Tampa and ran Curves franchises. Wayne was very active at Curves and he loved to socialize. Wayne was the Dad I never had. When I was in Law enforcement he was so proud of my police academy. Wayne taught me that life a stepping stone and that everything in moderation. Wayne‘s memory will live on in my heart and my children. They loved Wayne very much. So does my mom his only marriage. Wayne would want us all to smile and remember no tears in Heaven. I Love You Wayne “ Dad”. Love always Samantha Gross Stow Ohio