Alvin "Wayne" French

Age 93

The French family announces their heavy loss in the passing of Alvin “Wayne” French. Wayne was born on the family farm in Hayes County, Nebraska on March 11, 1928 and died in his home surrounded by family on June 16, 2021.

After graduating from Wauneta High School, Wayne joined the army and was a medic in Kyushu, Japan. After 18 months of service and reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant, Wayne married Nyla Ekstrum in 1951 and the union was blessed with children, Janet, Becky, and Allen. Nyla passed of sepsis and the widowed Wayne raised his children for 5 years before marrying Mary Clark Larsen in December of 1962. Wayne adopted Mary’s two children: Debra and Donna. Wayne and Mary’s union gifted them with another child--Jane.

Wayne worked at Western Electric for 35 years.

His retirement gave Wayne more time to work on his many hobbies such as woodworking, gardening, reading, fishing, hunting, volunteering at Midlands Hospital, and helping to build the church building at Bellevue Church of Christ and his missionary work. He found great joy in building his own home, remodeling others’ homes, and giving generously of himself and talents to God, family, and friends.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary; Children: Janet Pelzer (Gretna), Becky Beck (Papillion), Allen (Anne) French (Olathe), John Milota (son-in-law) (Omaha), Donna (Jeff) Bryan (Fort Calhoun), Jane (Alan) Bailey (Springfield), 15 grandchildren, and 30 great-grandchildren and many other family and friends. Wayne was welcomed home by his parents: Irl and Lona French; spouse Nyla French; siblings: Virginia, Barbara, Doris, Forrest, Jack; daughter: Debra Milota; and great-grandson: Reece Robert Bloom.