Wayne A. Larsen

Wayne A. Larsen, age 78, of Mayville passed away unexpectedly on December 10, 2018 at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee.A visitation for Wayne will take place from 9:00-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 15 at Koepsell Murray Funeral Home at N7199 North Crystal Lake Road at the intersection with Highway 33 in Beaver Dam. The memorial service will follow immediately at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Jonathan Szczesny officiating. Military honors will follow the service.Wayne was the son of Leo and Esther (Lange) Larsen. He was a 1958 graduate of Fort Atkinson High School. Wayne served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1960 to 1964 and was a U. S. Embassy Guard in Bonn, Germany, where he met his future wife Barbara. They were united in marriage on June 15, 1963 at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Camillus, NY. Following his military service he worked on the Menomonie police force while attending Stout State University. He later received his Master’s degree in 1973. He went on to teach high school industrial arts and later worked at Mayville Die and Tool. Soccer was important to Wayne and he was instrumental in bringing youth soccer to the Mayville community. Wayne helped develop Ribbens Field in Mayville and organized the soccer leagues that played and continue to play there. In his spare time, Wayne loved all things John Deere and collected John Deere memorabilia. Wayne attended many antique tractor shows throughout the United States and Europe. He also enjoyed woodworking, travel and reading, especially World War II history. He was active in the community as a church elder and a school board member. He served on the Board of Directors for the Mayville Historical Society and oversaw many improvements of the buildings and grounds. Wayne was a member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Horicon.Wayne was a loving husband, a great father and grandfather, an all-around caring man. He was genuinely interested in others, and kept up on the lives of his former students’ children. He valued higher education and encouraged young people to go to college. Wayne is survived by his wife Barbara of Mayville, his daughter Karin (Eric) Swanson of San Marcos, CA, his grandson Tyler Swanson of San Marcos, CA, his sister Bonnie Larsen of LaCrosse, his sisters-in-law Brenda (Gary) Hildman of Lake City, FL. and Betty (Mike) Schmitt of St. Cloud, MN, and his brother-in-law Brian Reiss of Gainesville, FL. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Scott, and his brother Arlan Larsen.Memorials may be directed to Mayville FFA, Soccer Without Borders, or the charity of your choice in lieu of flowers.Koepsell Funeral Home is serving the family. For online condolences and other information please visit www.KoepsellFH.com