Wayne Albert Manthei

October 16, 1937 – January 24, 2022

Wayne Albert Manthei, 84, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and servant of the Lord, passed away to eternal rest on Monday, January 24, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.

Wayne was born on October 16, 1937, in Joliet, Illinois to Albert and Irma (Schwagmeyer) Manthei. He attended Michigan State University (Go Spartans!) where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture with a minor in Marketing. He enlisted in the US Army Reserves in August of 1960, completed Ordinance Supply School at Aberdeen, Maryland, and was honorably discharged on August 6, 1966.

Wayne was united in marriage to Janet Vollstaedt on September 1, 1962, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Clair, Michigan. He began his sales/marketing career in Chicago, Illinois on May 15, 1961, with the Industrial Products Division of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. During his career, he was associated with the Automotive Sales Council, Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association, Motor Equipment Manufacturing Association, Heavy Duty Truck Distributors Association and the Rubber Manufacturers Association. In 1995, Northwood University presented him with their Automotive Aftermarket Education Award for his contributions. He retired from Goodyear on December 1, 1997, as General Manager of their non-tire Replacement Products Division, and was very successful in globalizing this business.

He and Janet lived part-time in Shell Knob, Missouri, in their log cabin on Table Rock Lake, from 1998 to 2013. Wayne loved the outdoors and his hobbies included golfing with the Lincoln men’s senior golf league, hunting, boating and fishing with family and friends. He especially enjoyed time spent with his grandchildren. A member of Christ Lutheran Church he served on their ushering staff and Foundation Board of Directors.

Wayne leaves behind a daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Andrew Traver of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; a son and daughter-in-law of Medina, Ohio, Jeffry and Elizabeth Manthei; a daughter and son-in-law, Peggy and Keith Merkel, of Lincoln, Nebraska, six grandchildren - Anthony, Dominic, and Vincent Traver; Allie and Brock Merkel, and Blake Manthei – a sister and brother-in-law, Mary Lou and Richard Frendt of Gregory, Michigan, nine nieces and nephews, and eighteen grand nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Janet, parents Irma and Albert Manthei, mother and father-in-law Cecil and Betty Vollstaedt, sister Donna Gerhardt, brother Gayle Manthei, brother-in-law Paul Gerhardt, and sister-in-law Linda Manthei.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, January 29, 2022, at Christ Lincoln Church, Lincoln, Nebraska, 4325 Sumner Street, Lincoln, Nebraska. Visitation with family will be one hour prior to services at the Church with a luncheon to follow. Interment will be at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Christ Lincoln Church. Please submit condolences online at www.lincolnfh.com, Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home.

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