Wayne Edward Habeck

Wayne Edward Habeck, age 88, was called to be with his heavenly father in his eternal home on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton. He passed peacefully in his sleep surrounded by everyone he loves. Wayne was born on June 28, 1937, to Bernhard "Ben" and Wilma (Egen) Habeck. He had one sister, Donna Jean. Wayne grew up on the family farm in the Town of Richmond.

He attended a one room school near Red River and was a 1955 graduate of Shawano High School. On May 21, 1960, Wayne was united in marriage to his sweetheart Janet Leah Nordwig at Christus Lutheran Church in Clintonville.

After high school graduation, Wayne farmed with his father until he was called to active duty on October 15, 1961, during the Berlin Crisis and was stationed in Fort Lewis, Washington. Wayne proudly served our country in the 32nd Red Arrow Division of the Army National Guard. In August of 1962, he was released from active duty. He then attended the Wisconsin Military Academy and was commissioned as an officer in the Army National Guard in July of 1964.

Wayne was employed at Shawano Equity Cooperative. After nine years of dedicated employment in various roles, he was promoted to General Manager in 1973. He was well respected by his fellow employees, farmers and customers, and was very proud to have a career linked to his agricultural heritage. He was a member of the Farm Progress Days committee in July 1989. After 30 years, he retired but continued to stay an active member of the community through his participation in the city of Shawano tree advisory board, Shawano Rotary, and the American Legion.

Wayne enjoyed all things outdoors-fishing trout, hunting deer and turkey, planting and shearing Christmas trees, hiking, and introducing his grandchildren to the wonders of nature. He also enjoyed several trips to Wyoming to hunt mule deer. Wayne was an avid sports fan and always cheered on the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers and Wisconsin Badgers.

Wayne valued his faith above all else, closely followed by his family. He was a Christian and a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano since December 1968. He served in many capacities in the church and encouraged others to stay steadfast in their faith. When Wayne was blessed with his two children, Krisan and Kevin, his Christian values guided him to be a gentle, kind, loving, and patient father.

Family was at the core of what Wayne valued. He and his family spent many summers vacationing around the United States in their travel trailer. Wayne was known to have a love of learning and often trailed behind the family as he read one more fact about the sites they visited. He was endlessly supportive of his wife, children, and later five grandchildren. Wayne never missed attending a sporting event, music performance, academic award ceremony, or church program. He was very proud of them and their accomplishments. He loved being a part of their lives. He will be dearly missed.

Wayne is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Janet Habeck; children Krisan (David) Baker and Kevin (Patti) Habeck; grandchildren Abby (Corbin) Mosher, Claire (Cole) McCloskey, Emily Habeck, Brynn (Nick) Goudreau and Jack (Morgan) Habeck; great-granddaughter Eloise Mosher; sister-in-law Barbara Nordwig; niece Cindy Korth and other family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sister Donna Jean (Ken) MacDonald; father-in-law Arlyn Krumbach; mother-in-law Dulice Krumbach; brother-in-law Donald Nordwig; and sister-in-law Rita (Eugene) Gurlt.

A funeral service for Wayne will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano. Visitation will begin at the church at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial and Military Honors will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery following services. The family would like to invite all attendees to the Richmond Town Hall afterwards for a luncheon. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials in Wayne's name to St. James Lutheran Church, St. James School, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Feeding America.

"When peace, like a river, attendeth my way; When sorrow, like sea billiows, roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say. It is well, it is well with my soul. (LSB 763)"