Wayne Schoepke Sr.

Wayne Schoepke, Sr., Wausau, passed away November 19, 2018 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital surrounded by his family.

He was born February 1, 1935 to Donald and Viola Schoepke in Antigo, Wisconsin.

At a young age, the family moved to Marinette, where Wayne lived until his junior year of high school.  In 1952, the family moved to Wausau, where he graduated in 1953.

Wayne enlisted in the Air Force in 1954 and was stationed at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, Kansas, where he fought the “Battle of Topeka”, as he called it, and ended his tour in 1958.

Wayne graduated on the Dean’s List with a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Kansas in 1963. He then returned to Wausau to work in his father’s architectural office until his father’s retirement in 1971. At that time, Wayne continued the business. Where his father’s business featured schools, Wayne specialized in designing banks that are located all over  Northern Wisconsin.

Wayne married Elizabeth Gandy in June, 1959 in Kansas City. She preceded him in death in 1982. Together, they had three children- Beth Kaziak of Appleton; Tammie Schoepke of Wausau; and Wayne Schoepke, Jr. of Merrill. Wayne then married Ardus Beckman Stone and gained five additional children- Jamie Mancini of Burnsville, MN; Terry Stone of Wausau; Patrick Stone of Wausau; Mark Stone of Wausau; and Tracy Stone of Mosinee.

A Master Mason and Shriner, Wayne was the first new Master Mason in the new Wausau Temple in 1975, which was designed by Wayne and his father.

Wayne’s favorite pass time was his “Hunting Shack” near Prentice, where he spent most of his extra time. He loved deer hunting and just being in the woods. He earned the name “Big Buck” from one of his grandchildren. Many years he would not shoot a deer because he was always on the lookout for that “Big One.”

In addition to his love of hunting, Wayne was an avid collector.  His interest in “collecting” came from his mother.  Wayne was especially interested in antique outboard motors and guns, but he saved everything.  He was one of the founders of the North Central Gun Collectors in Wausau and The Tomahawk Outboard Motor Shows. He is a past Vice President of the National Organization for Motor Collector’s (Antique Outboard Motor Collectors, Inc).

Wayne is preceded in death by his parents; an infant son Donald Eddy; first wife Elizabeth Schoepke; and brothers Daniel Schoepke and Thomas Schoepke.

Survivors include, wife Ardus Schoepke; children; Beth (John) Kaziak, Tammie Schoepke, Wes (Jane) Schoepke, Jamie (Mark) Mancini, Terry Stone, Patrick (Cindy) Stone, Mark (Donna) Stone, and Tracy Stone; grandchildren; Graham, Claire, Jak, Brent, Taylor, Nicholas, Mary, Bentley, Sam, Kramer, Henry, Carson, Jacob, Christopher, and Abby; great grandchildren William, Raelynn and Olivia.

At Wayne’s request, a private celebration of his life will be held on July 4, 2019 at his hunting shack.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to Lincoln County Humane Society, 310 N. Memorial Dr. Merrill, WI  54452