Wayne Harry Reffke

Wayne Harry Reffke died on December 9, 2023. Wayne was born on November 4, 1946 in Appleton, WI to the late Harry and Dolly (Potratz) Reffke. He graduated from Appleton High School in 1965 and earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin. Following his college graduation, he joined the United States Air Force as a jet pilot. He was released from active duty in 1973 with the rank of 1st Lieutenant and continued in the Air Force Reserves until his honorable discharge in 1980.

In 1974 he started in sales with H.B. Fuller Co. where he held a variety of positions over the course of his 26-year career—climbing the corporate ladder to become the President of Foster Product Group, an H.B. Fuller subsidiary. Wayne loved his job and especially enjoyed traveling the world while working as a global business unit manager. During his career, he also studied for an M.B.A. at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. It was at H.B. Fuller that he met Marjorie Prokop, who became his loving companion and partner of 28 years until her death.

Wayne’s career with H.B. Fuller saw him move from Wisconsin to the Twin Cities of Minnesota. He built his dream home in White Bear Lake, where he resided for many years and proudly served on the board of the Minnesota Tree Trust. Following his retirement, he spent winters in Naples, FL while enjoying the warmer months at his lakefront home in Pine City, MN. In 2010 he moved to Naples year-round where he met Martha Bennett with whom he enjoyed 12 years of love and companionship until his death.

Whether for work or leisure, Wayne loved to travel, visiting 31 countries in his lifetime. He especially enjoyed taking his sisters on trips and going fishing in Canada with family and friends, in particular his dad, nephews, and brother-in-law. Wayne enjoyed telling the story of his dad fishing with three hooks and catching more than anyone else. And he delighted in sharing his “pearls of wisdom” with his family. He also enjoyed good food and would sample just about any dish while encouraging others to do so, too, introducing his family to many new cuisines. He loved a good fish fry, especially perch, and the staff at his local Thai restaurant in Naples knew to prepare “Wayne’s Special Soup” when they saw him walk in the door. Wayne was an avid tennis player for many years. He enjoyed planning treats and experiences for those he loved and visits with Uncle Wayne were always special and the source of many happy memories for his nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.

A loving partner, brother and uncle, Wayne will be deeply missed by his loving companion, Martha Bennett, Naples, FL; sister, Gail Meredith, Kaukauna, WI; brother-in-law, Bill Neubauer, Menasha, WI; nephews and nieces, Tim (Lisa) Meredith, Menasha, Steve (Deborah) Meredith, Kaukauna, Rebecca (Gabriel Gervey) Neubauer, Austin, TX, and Lindsay Neubauer, Little Chute, WI. He is further survived by his grand-nieces and nephews, Jordan (Christopher) Matte, Eunice, LA, Chase Meredith, Menasha, Kyler (T.J.) Murphy, Kaukauna, Kasey (Dillan) Micke, De Pere, WI, Kally Meredith, Miami, FL, Karly Meredith, Kaukauna, and Micah and Levi Gervey, Austin; his lifelong friend, Greg Otis, Appleton, WI, as well as other family and friends.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Dolly (Potratz) Reffke, partner of 28 years, Marj Prokop, sister, Pam Neubauer, and brother-in-law, Toby Meredith.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at Avow, a nonprofit healthcare organization in Naples, FL, where Wayne received hospice care in his final days. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that memorials in Wayne’s name be made to Avow Hospice (1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105; www.avowcares.org).