Wayne E. Steinmetz

Wayne E. Steinmetz, age 95, passed away on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Mayo Clinic Health Systems Hospital in Bloomer, WI. 

Wayne was born on April 19, 1929, in Bloomer, WI to Elmer and Alice (Bekken) Steinmetz. He graduated from Bloomer High School and went on to honorably served his country in the United States Air Force. On November 27, 1954, Wayne married Patricia A. Gehring in Bloomer, WI. 

In his younger years, Wayne worked on his uncle’s farm, did carpentry work, worked at the Farmer’s Union and made a career at the Chippewa County Dairy in Bloomer. Later on in life, Wayne drove cars for Neilsen Ford and Southworth Chevrolet, drove school bus and worked as a janitor at People’s State Bank. He was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Bloomer Rod and Gun and Bloomer American Legion. He loved to go camping, pulling his travel trailer to campgrounds in the area. He also enjoyed bowling, listening to polka music, spending time at the hunting shack, watching Mollie B., playing cards (especially TIC), gardening, fishing and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.

Wayne is survived by his son: Jeff (Anne) Steinmetz; daughter: Debbie (Paul) LaGesse; grandchildren: Jeremy Steinmetz, Jason (Chelsey) Steinmetz, Jennifer (Kevin) Bleck, Cassie (Mark) Prokes, Joe (Carly) Rubenzer, Nikki (Forest) Clements, Brittney LaGesse, Lindsey (Shayne Latzel) LaGesse and Jill LaGesse; Great Grandchildren: Parker, Greyson and Jordy Steinmetz, Kinsley and Willow Bleck, Abigail and Tyler Prokes, Brady, Ana, Ella, Evie and Joey Rubenzer, Nora Jensen, Dakken LaGesse and Kyler Sloviak; sisters: Mavis Babbitt and Jean Lewis; sisters-in-law: Judy Ferstenou and Kay Gehring; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his father: Elmer Steinmetz in 1930; mother: Alice Kressin; step-father: George Kressin wife: Patricia Steinmetz; brother: Elmer “Amy” (Darlene) Steinmetz; brothers-in-law: Dale Babbitt, Charles Lewis, John Gehring and Eugene Ferstenou. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Bloomer, with a visitation starting at 10:00 AM. Burial will be in the Scandinavian Cemetery, town of Woodmohr, with military honors conducted by the Bloomer American Legion, VFW and AMVETS. Olson Funeral Home in Bloomer is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at olsonfuneralhomebloomer.com.

Live stream of the service will be at: www.facebook.com/Oursaviorslutheranbloomerwi/