Wayne Ora Henschke
NEW ULM–Wayne Ora Henschke was born August 21, 1945 to Ora Alvin Henschke and Anita (Haas) Henschke on their farm near Buffalo Lake, MN. He was baptized on September 9, 1945 and confirmed on March 22, 1959 at Zion Lutheran Church, Buffalo Lake. He was a 1963 graduate of Buffalo Lake Public High School. Wayne served in the U.S. Navy, from 1963 – 1971, which included two tours of duty in the Vietnam War. He also completed a 3 year tour of duty as instructor at the U.S. Naval Electronics School at Great Lakes, IL.
On October 28, 1972 he married Lou Ann “Lou” Ahlbrecht at Zion Lutheran Church, Buffalo Lake, MN. During their married life they resided at Waukegan, IL; Otter Lake near Hutchinson, MN; and at Lake Belle Taine near Nevis, MN. They enjoyed retirement while living in their home over-looking Sweitzer Lake near Park Rapids, MN. Prior to retiring, Wayne was employed by Hutchinson Technology, Inc. in Hutchinson, MN from 1977 – 2001. The majority of his career with HTI included several different positions in management and training.
Wayne loved God’s creations – the lakes, rivers, trees, wildlife and sunsets. He enjoyed making unique gifts out of wood in his shop, as well as designing and drawing house plans. He also enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and going on many remote Canadian fishing trips with friends and family, including his wife, Lou, until she lost her battle with cancer on September 1, 2015. Wayne relocated to New Ulm, MN in 2017 and on May 5, 2018 married Dorothy Ann Marquardt (Schmidt/Mielke). They enjoyed playing cribbage, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Dorothy, four stepchildren Greg (Kathy) Mielke, New Ulm, MN, Brenda (Kenny) Dummer, New Ulm, MN, Brian (Gwen) Mielke, Courtland, MN, Cary (Dan) Walser, New Ulm, MN; 9 step grandchildren and 12 step great grandchildren. Wayne is also survived by his two sisters, Yvonne (Virgil) Hamblin, Apache Junction, AZ, Ardell (Dennis) Rettmann/Howard Ryberg, Buffalo Lake, MN; sister-in-law, Marilyn Henschke, Hutchinson, MN; and eleven nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his late wife, Lou; and his brother Curtis Henschke.
Wayne died at the age of 80 years on Thursday, September 11, 2025, in Park Rapids, Minnesota
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home-South Chapel in New Ulm. Pastor Nate Scharf will officiate the service, and burial will take place in the Bethel Cemetery in Park Rapids, Minnesota on Thursday at 1pm. Military honors will be provided at the committal service. Visitation will be held from 9-11 a.m. on Wednesday at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home-South Chapel prior to the service.
To leave an online condolence for his family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org
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