Wayne Larson Memorial Service

Wayne C. Larson, 63, of Greenville, Wisconsin and formerly of Chaseburg went to his heavenly home May 22nd surrounded by the love of his family.

He was born December 18th, 1961 at St. Ann's Hospital in Lacrosse, Wisconsin to parents Sidney Albert Larson and Ethel Denson Larson.

Wayne was raised on a dairy farm with his 7 brothers and 5 sisters. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church and graduated Westby High School in 1980.

He joined the United States Air Force as a Jet Engine Mechanic in February of 1981 where he went on to receive the medal of the Air Force Longevity Service Award with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and the Airforce Commendation Medal.

He married his wife of 41 years, Silvia Larson (Marie) on March 24, 1984, during his first tour of duty. They had two sons, Lee Christopher Larson and Sidney Russell Larson who were both born at Williams Air Force Base. His family meant everything to Wayne.

He went on to serve in the Air National Guard at Fairchild Air Force Base, in the 141st Operations Group. 116th Air Refueling Squadron- KC-135 Strato-tanker. 141st Operations Support Squadron, then to Meridian Mississippi to serve on the 186th Refueling Wing of the Air National Guard, and finished his proud military service in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with the 128th Air Refueling Wing at Volk Field.

Wayne always had a deep love for airplanes, mechanics and building things with his own two hands. Even while in the Air Force he worked with a construction group who completely remodeled the housing on the military installation. When in Washington, he had a chance to work with his brother driving pile, building bridges, and schools, and in Mississippi with his father-in-law working on planes. When he and his family returned to Wisconsin and the aeronautical field, he was able to work with another brother and combine his love of all things.

He joined Gulfstream Aerospace in October of 1991 and retired after 28 years of service as Facility Lead, receiving numerous awards for not only maintaining the building, but shaping and modeling it as new business needs arose, helping with the new building planned on the horizon, all while completely remodeling his family home for his loved ones during that time.

Wayne looked forward to spending downtime with his wife and sons, and later his granddaughter too, watching the latest blockbuster movies, fishing on the Wolf River in their boat, hunting with his family, attending family weddings and other celebrations around the state, and traveling cross country to visit family while taking in the countryside.

He enjoyed watching his sons' school programs, soccer games and skateboarding events, among other activities and achievements of his boys, and later in life enjoyed attending his granddaughter's singing, dance and color guard performances with his wife.

He was able to watch his boys grow into young men and was grateful and proud to see both of them settle into their place in life as they got older and his granddaughter graduate from high school with a plan for the future.

Wayne and his wife enjoyed traveling extensively across the country to visit family. As the children got older, spending time touring the state of Wisconsin, traveling to Colorado, Florida, Arizona, Mississippi, New York City, California, and Washington. They enjoyed the shows and lights of Las Vegas over a long weekend, relaxing, exploring and fishing in Mexico, Dominican Republic, Aruba, Jamaica and across the beautiful coasts of Florida including Daytona, Pensacola, Naples, Fort Lauderdale, and Clear Water beaches.

Wayne was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Greenville, Wisconsin, and the Paralyzed Veterans of America during his almost six-year battle with ALS. He amazed doctors and others with his strength and resilience in the face of a debilitating diagnosis and was thankful for each day he was given.

Survivors include his wife, Silvia M. Larson, two sons, Lee Larson,  Sidney Larson, a granddaughter (Mackenzie Larson)  12 siblings, Nancy  (Dick) Brown of La Crescent, Minn., Quinten (Karen) Larson of Stoddard, Robert (Barbara) Larson of Janesville, Merlin (Michelle) Larson of Stoddard, Sharon Johnson of Minn, Denise (Orlan) Bakkum of Coon Valley, Patricia Nestor of Cashton, Daniel (Sharon) Larson of Hortonville, Susanne Larson of Mesquite, Nev., Timothy (Valerie) Larson of Spirit Lake, Idaho, Curtis Larson of Fairbanks, Alaska and Owen (Jodi) Larson of Alaska; as well as his father-in-law, Russell E Gilbert, Jr., brother-in-law, Antoine Gilbert, and sister-in-law, Cheri Gilbert. In addition to numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews who he adored.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sidney and Ethel Larson of Chaseburg, an infant brother, John, his wife's grandparents Martin and Via Mary Schmidt of Arizona, his mother-in-law Silvia Gilbert, and his brothers-in-law, Ralph Nestor of Cashton, and Marlin Wohlert of Minn.

We wish to thank everyone at Immanuel Lutheran, the Veteran's Administration, Theda Care, Neuroscience Group, Fox Valley Surgical Group, Ascension, Corum, Theda Care at Home, Walgreens of Grand Chute, Smith Pharmacy of Little Chute, with a special thanks to his private care team who worked by his wife's side, enabling him to have more good days at home.

We are especially grateful to Pastors Dolan and Qualum of Immanuel Lutheran of Greenville who spent time with Wayne and his wife each week, along with family and friends who were by their side helping to support him in so many ways.

A visitation will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Greenville on May 31st at 9 am to 11 am with funeral services at 11 am followed by military honors.

Visitation will be held at 10 am on June 5th. at English Lutheran Church in Viroqua, WI with a gathering to follow at Old Town Inn beginning at noon.