Wayne August Kloetzke, 82, of Osceola, WI, passed away peacefully after a 4-month battle with cancer, on Tuesday March 4, 2025, surrounded by his loving family and friends. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Wayne lived a life full of laughter, joy, and kindness. He was deeply loved by all who knew him, and his larger-than-life presence and infectious sense of humor will be missed by many.

Wayne was born to Ervin and Irene Kloetzke on August 22, 1942, at his parent’s farmhouse in Somerset, Wisconsin. He grew up in Star Prairie and attended Osceola High School. After graduating in 1960 Wayne worked at Doboy Feed Mill until he was drafted into the United States Army in 1964. He proudly served as a 63B Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic for a year in Vietnam. There he earned the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. Upon his honorable discharge from the military, Wayne married his sweetheart, Barbara Walsh on July 1st, 1967. He worked for Andersen Windows as a Switch Engineer for 30 years. After he retired in 1998, Wayne helped Barb care for their daycare infants and toddlers. He was often found holding a baby in each arm to include his two grandsons.

Wayne enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, taking long car rides, vacationing in Branson Missouri, gambling at Wisconsin casinos, and being a grandpa. Most of all he cherished time with family and loved cracking jokes to get others to smile. Wayne was a humble man who was known for his honesty and the way he treated people, always giving everyone a fair shake.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 57 years Barb, children Jill (Teeshan) Harrington, John Kloetzke, Jesse (Marissa) Kloetzke, brothers David and Larry (Sandy) Kloetzke, sister Sandy Helman, grandchildren Liam, Jace, Raelyn, Rowan, Max, and many other family and friends.

Wayne is now reunited with his father Ervin, mother Irene, sister-in-law Kathryn Kloetzke, and nephew Cory Helman.

His visitation will be held at Peace Lutheran Church on Friday March 14th, 2025, from 2:00-4:00 and will be immediately followed by a funeral service at 4:00. Funeral arrangements were entrusted with Grandstrand Funeral Home. The family looks forward to honoring Wayne’s military service with an internment at the Veterans Memorial Park in Spooner Wisconsin on a date TBD.

Last Update: Mar 10, 2025 1:05 pm CDT