Wayne Charles Wildenradt

Wayne was born December 7, 1931 in DeKalb, IL, to Hans and Garnet Wildenradt. Hans, a baker, lost his DeKalb bakery in the Great Depression. Hans moved the family to Elgin, IL where he served as Chief Baker for the Illinois State Mental Hospital. Wayne liked to tell stories of himself as a boy, running in and out of the hospital blocks to sell candy and deliver newspapers and magazines to the “inmates.”

Wayne celebrated his 10th birthday on Sunday, December 7, 1941, with a trip to the movies. He and his friend exited the theatre to a city eerily quiet. He arrived back home to discover his parents listening to President Roosevelt on the radio speaking about the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Even though Hans already was in his forties by this time, and had served in WWI, he reenlisted and served as a bread baker for the Army throughout the War. The young Wayne helped support his mom by running a paper route and doing odd jobs. Garnet was profoundly deaf, and Wayne served as her interpreter.

The first person in his family to go to college, Wayne went to Purdue University on an ROTC scholarship. After receiving a civil engineering degree, he accepted a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army. In 1953, he broke his back during training exercises, and wore a full body cast for several months. One day, bulked up by the body cast, the skinny young man was walking down the streets of Elgin when a group of girls in a convertible accosted him. The driver, a friend, introduced him to her passengers, one of which was the beguiling 16 year-old Mary Ann, “Mickey,” Gudeman. Wayne was smitten. Mary Ann thought she had never seen a stronger, more handsome young soldier. On February 20, 1955, Wayne and Mary Ann married, ten days after her 18th birthday.

The couple’s first posting was Cambridge, England, where Wayne helped build runways for the Army Corp of Engineers. After a year in Merry Olde England, Wayne left the military. He and Mary Ann moved to Madison, Wisconsin where in 1956 Wayne completed his MBA and Mary Ann gave birth to their firstborn, son Douglas Wayne. First daughter Susan Marie was born in 1958 in Salt Lake City. Amy Louise’s birth followed in 1960 in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Last but not least, along came Ann Elizabeth, born in Houston in 1962. Their family was complete.

Wayne was a certified Professional Engineer (PE). His passion was pipelining, and he managed several immense projects throughout the world. His work took the family to the Netherlands, the Dominican Republic, and London. Wayne continued working as a Pipeline Engineer until the time of his death, delivering pipeline technology training for a Houston technology company.

Wayne was a member of the Houston Pipeliner’s Association and the Houston Purdue Alumni Association. He was a Purdue Boilermaker through and through, and he never missed a chance to cheer on his team with cohorts at Coach’s Pub in downtown Houston.

Although confirmed in the Lutheran Church, Wayne attended an Episcopal church from the time he and Mary Ann joined St. Patrick’s, Houston in the 1960s. Over the years, Wayne served in various capacities from vestry member to education director. In addition to serving the church, Wayne served the community by visiting the sick, driving those in need to appointments, and attending friends in nursing care. He donated generously, including to Make-a-Wish and Foster Parent Plan.

Wayne is proceeded in death by his parents; his sister and brother-in-law Helen and Del Banks; his daughter, Susan Marie Wildenradt; his former wife, Mary Ann Wildenradt; and his companion June Holtman. He is survived by son Douglas Wildenradt; daughter Amy Louise and son-in-law Joseph Spence, and his grandsons John, Graham and wife Amy Lynn, and Wilson Spence; and daughter Ann Voss and son-in-law James Odom, granddaughter Gracie Voss and grandson Ben Voss.

A celebration of Wayne’s life is to be conducted at ten o’clock on Saturday, the 23rd of September, at Grace Episcopal Church, 4040 Bellfort in Houston. Immediately following, guests are invited to greet the family during a reception.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to Grace Episcopal Church or to Noah’s House, 176 Fellows Road, Houston, Texas 77047.