Wayne Ora Henschke was born August 21, 1945, to Ora Alvin Henschke and Anita (Haas) Henschke on their farm near Buffalo Lake. 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 three year tour of duty as instructor at U.S. Naval Electronics School at Great Lakes, Ill.
 On October 28, 1972, he married Lou Ann “Lou” Ahlbrecht at Zion Lutheran Church, Buffalo Lake. During their married life they resided at Waukegan, Ill., Otter Lake near Hutchinson, and at Lake Belle Taine near Nevis. They enjoyed retirement while living in their home overlooking Sweitzer Lake near Park Rapids. Prior to retiring, Wayne was employed by Hutchinson Technology, Inc. in Hutchinson 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 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, Brenda (Kenny) Dummer, New Ulm, Brian (Gwen) Mielke, Courtland, Cary (Dan) Walser, New Ulm; nine step-grandchildren and 12 step-great-grandchildren. Wayne is also survived by his two sisters, Yvonne (Virgil) Hamblin, Apache Junction, Ariz., Ardell (Dennis) Rettmann/Howard Ryberg, Buffalo Lake; sister-in-law, Marilyn Henschke, Hutchinson; and 11 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.
 A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home-South Chapel in New Ulm. Pastor Nate Scharf will officiate the service and burial will take place in Bethel Cemetery in Park Rapids at 1 p.m. on Thursday, September 18. Full military honors will be provided at the committal service.
 Visitation will be held from 9 – 11 a.m. on Wednesday at 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.