Wayne Alva Auchstetter

Wayne Alva Auchstetter, age 81, of Nashua, Iowa, died peacefully surrounded by family Sunday, September 28, 2025 at Select Specialty  Hospital in Des Moines.

Friends may greet the family 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Friday, October 3, 2025 at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory – Olson Chapel in Nashua.  A private family graveside service will take place at a later date at the Jerico Lutheran Cemetery with Garret Bloomquist, Elijah Bloomquist, Ashton Bloomquist, Jeff Crosier, Tim Fisher, and Ryan Demro serving as pallbearers.  Isaiah Auchstetter, Aiden Bloomquist, Wilder Wayne Bloomquist, Dan Zwanziger, Jim Ward, and Dave Ricken will be serving as honorary pallbearers.

Following the visitation guests are invited to The B in Nashua from 6:00-9:00 p.m. for a celebration of life with the family.

Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory – Olson Chapel in Nashua has been entrusted with arrangements.

Born on July 14, 1944, in Charles City, the oldest child of Joe and Naomi (Kegley) Auchstetter, Wayne was a man whose life was as rich and fulfilling as the soil he loved to tend in his garden.

Wayne spent his childhood in the farm north of Bassett.  Where his strong work ethic was instilled.  Wayne received his education in Charles City graduating with the class of 1962.  Soon after, his journey working road construction began which led to a lifelong career spreading across more than 4 decades.  Working for Rohlin Construction, Fred Carlson Construction, and Heartland Asphalt.  In the fall of 1969 Wayne crossed paths with Marva Ball and he knew right away he was going to marry her.  On January 17, 1970 they were married at Redeemer Lutheran Church in New Hampton.  They made their home in Nashua where together they raised three daughters.

If Wayne wasn’t in the hot sun building roads, he was often heading north to Red Wing ready to relax in his boat on the Mississippi.  Evenings were spent around a campfire with his fishing buddies, sipping a cold one and swapping stories of the day’s adventures.  

With Wayne’s love of fishing he began making his own bucktail hair jigs.  It wasn’t long before he was known as”Bucktail Wayne” to his many friends and colleagues. What began as a hobby turned into a business that grew considerably after his retirement from Heartland Asphalt in 2006.  As soon as his grandsons were able to hold a fishing pole, grandpa had them on the water.  Over the years he was there to guide and advise them, and help them hone their fishing skills.

Wayne and Marva enjoyed their winters and springs on the Golf Coast of Florida.  There they had many great adventures and gained countless new friends.  

Wayne was an avid hawkeye fan no matter what sport was playing.  He enjoyed challenging Marva in a daily show of Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, or taking on his family in a card game of skip bo.

Wayne led his life to the fullest and as he wanted, by working hard and playing harder.  He loved his family deeply and couldn’t have been prouder than the moment his first grandson was placed in his arms.  That pride only grew as each grandson and great-grandsons were born.

Wayne is survived by his wife Marva Auchstetter of 55 years; daughters Mischa (Jeff Crosier) Eveland of Nashua and Tyanne Auchstetter of Nashua; grandchildren: Garret (Kylie) Bloomquist, Elijah Bloomquist, Ashton (Shelena Pascual) Bloomquist, and Isaiah Auchstetter; great-grandchildren Aiden Bloomquist and Wilder Wayne Bloomquist; brother David (Barb) Auchstetter of Nashua; sister Karen (Steve) Nixt of Granger, Iowa; many nieces, nephews, good friends, and fishing buddies; and his beloved basset hound Pickles; and sister-in-law Pam Auchstetter of Rockford, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Naomi (Kegley) Auchstetter; daughter Heather Auchstetter; brothers Mike Auchstetter and Doug Auchstetter; great-grandson Sebastian Martin Bloomquist.

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