Wayne Charles Kulcinski

Wayne Charles Klu Kulcinski, 73, of La Crosse, WI passed away on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born on February 6th, 1938 in La Crosse WI to Steven and Gertrude (Wendlandt) Kulcinski Sr. He was baptized on March 6th 1938 at First Ev. Lutheran Church, La Crosse and confirmed March 18, 1951 at Mt. Calvary Ev. Lutheran Church, La Crosse. He currently was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI. Wayne graduated from Central High school in 1955. He served his country for many years as a reserve for the National Guard of Wisconsin with the Onalaska Armory. He married Charleen Granum on June 18th, 1960. Together they built a home in Onalaska and raised two children. They later divorced but continued to celebrate their childrens lives together. Much of Waynes life was centered around the Mississippi River. He began by hunting and fishing with his brothers and continued by purchasing a Boathouse on the Black River along Copeland Park. The Boathouse became a center of many celebrations for family and friends. Once you were there you were automatically family. There were water ski lessons for all that needed and wanted them and Ski exhibitions (Waynes famous chair on a wooden disk... long before this was popular in the Midwest) and- always the fishing, the boat rides, the gifts of fish!!!!! Winter and summer always fishing. Waynes mother was a wonderful homemaker and when you could get him indoors long enough, he would recreate her famous homemade noodles. He taught his daughter and granddaughter how to make 3D stars out of paper and passed on the tradition of making them for gifts every Christmas for family and friends. Wayne enjoyed teaching his son his volleyball moves and his secret fishing spots. They also enjoyed watching sports together. Wayne worked as a Tool and Die maker at Luxco Inc. for over 40 years and retired in 2000. After retirement he became a snowbird in Tavares Florida. There he continued his fishing along the Dora Canal and enjoyed taking his visitors for rides along the Canal looking for gators. Fish Fry's.. there was always fish fry's with his family and friends both in Tavares and on the river at a boathouse. He enjoyed doing Jigsaw puzzles and would spend many long hours leaned over the table doing them. He also enjoyed his crossword puzzles and made sure to get the paper daily so he could do them. He had incredibly deep baby blue eyes and a contagious smile that lit up the room and made those around him feel warm and welcomed. (even in his final days).

He is survived by his son John Kulcinski of La Crosse, daughter Dawn Kulcinski of Holmen, grand-daughter Mercedes Kulcinski- Haeuser of Holmen, sister in law Selma(Sally) Kulcinski of La Crosse, many nieces and nephews, significant other Wanda Lockhart of La Crosse and her family, Pamela, Jeffrey and Jade Ellen (Waynes children are very thankful for the good care she gave their father during his illness) He was preceded in death by his parents, Steven & Gertrude Kulcinski, 3 brothers, Harold Kulcinski, Vern Kulcinski and Steven (Putter) Kulcinski, a nephew Darrell Kulcinski, and a sister in law June Kulcinski.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, October 17th, 2011 at 11:00 AM at First Lutheran Church, Onalaska. Pastor Ted Dewald will officiate. Friends may call at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse, 200 West Ave. So., on Sunday from 4:00 8:00 PM, and at the church on Monday from 10:00 AM until the time of services.

The Family will have a Celebration of his life with a fish fry for his family and friends in late spring at the Family Boathouse.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to all for the wonderful care provided by the staff at Sparta Hospital and Gundersen Lutheran of La Crosse.

You don't know how much I loved you and how much I'm missing you. You have had a good life down to the boathouse. I will see you there fishing with me next year. I will be saving you a spot. I love you PaPa Wayne and I am missing you. Love your granddaughter Mercedes.