The last brother of my father died yesterday. I keep getting closer to the oldest generation.
Wayne had liver cancer. Medical advances gave him years longer to live but could not cure it. It gave us time. Every trip I made to the midwest by car included a trip to Poplar Grove to see him. And most of the time that worked out right. I feel blessed that it all worked out that way.
Wayne loved the outdoors. He hunted, fished, played with his dogs. He also loved Sugar and Charlie, the cats that call him and Helga pets. He had some of the best stories and shared them in these later years. He loved roller skating as a kid and spent many a weekend night at the rink in town. He looked up to my dad and had lots of stories about him also, but probably not shareable on a blog. After he retired from Chrysler he started mowing yards. He kept his own impeccable. He was always the fun uncle.
Wayne was born in May, 1945. Just turned 79 this last spring. He leaves behind Helga, his three children, Russ, Patti and Frank, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It is always a hard transition for those left behind. But for him, there is no more pain and no more memory issues. I'm sure he was greeted with great warmth and love by those who went before him.
RIP Uncle Wayne. Light and love on your continuing journey. Give my dad a hug for me.
