Wayne Herman Kuss

Wayne H Kuss May 31, 1940 – March 29, 2022

Wayne H Kuss passed away peacefully with his wife Mary Sue by his side at Aspirus Hospice House on Tuesday March 29, 2022. 

Wayne was born in River Falls, WI. Wayne is a graduate of UW River Falls where he received a B.S. Economics.  Wayne was married to Kathleen Engel in 1963.  They moved to Wausau in June of 1964 after spending some time in both Eau Claire and Milwaukee. Wayne was an Insurance Adjuster.  After moving to Wausau, he began working with MSI Insurance, as a Sr. Field Claim Representative, now known as Country Financial.  Wayne enjoyed serving customers and agents working with everyone so very much.  They were blessed with the birth of their daughter Kelly Elizabeth Kuss on October 21, 1970.

In 1976, he joined the Wausau Noon Optimist and served many roles in his 46 years as an active member.  He served on the Optimist Board of Directors from 1978-1979, he was awarded the Youth Appreciation Week Chairman and his efforts to bring the Positive Contributions of Youth to the attention of the Public 1981, Optimist of the year 1981, Oratorical contest chairman 1981, Keyman award in both 1982 and 1983, Outstanding Service Membership Chair 2007-2008. 

Wayne was a member of the Marathon County Agriculture Society and received an Award of Appreciation for 6 years of dedicated service as a member of the Board of Directors presented to him on 11-7-2013.  Wayne enjoyed being on the Wisconsin Valley Fair Board.  He sourced local entertainment in the exhibition building, enjoying the apple pie contest and Princess Tea with the Fairest of the Fair.   He coached 5-8th grade Boys Basketball with his good friend John Durkee at Our Saviors Lutheran Church and Girls Basketball 4-8th grade and at Trintiy Lutheran School with John Cherwinka.

Wayne’s service to his community awarded him several honors.  He was the secretary of the Antique Auto Club from 1972-1974. He also received a Certificate from the Riverview School Park for his many volunteer hours. Wayne was also a member of the Jenny Falls Wine Club, a Friends book club both in person and over zoom. He loved a good mystery novel. Wayne enjoyed throwing parties at his home for any occasion. Some of the signature yearly parties were Chili/Pie cookoffs, Talk Like a Pirate Day, Kentucky Derby Day, Mardi Gras, Holiday Tom and Jerry’s and his favorite, 4th of July.   Wayne loved his craft projects, designing and painting wooden Christmas tree ornaments, and lately making stand up porch greeters. 

In December of 2003, Wayne married Mary Sue Edens and became a step father to 3 additional children and was gifted 4 grandchildren. They enjoyed spending time with them at their cabin in the Harrison Hills on Pickerel Lake where Wayne and his family participated in boat parades, great fun!  Wayne was extremely proud of all of his children, family and friends.  He has always put others needs first.

He enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers with his niece, Kristin Kuss from Las Vegas. They would call each other when the Packers made a touchdown, and was great fun. 

Wayne enjoyed attending church at the Trinity Lutheran Spiritual Life Center, where children had their special sermon and the church service was praise.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Mary Sue Edens Kuss, daughter- Kelly Kuss-Raleigh, NC, step-children, Andrew D. Bartelt Merrill, Bethany (Scott) Marcott-Marathon City, Matthew (Penny) Bartelt- Wausau, grandchildren Phillip (Lyddia) Marcott, George & Saxon Bartelt, Austin Bartelt, great-grand child Brantley, former wife Kathleen E. Kuss, brother Donald E. (Betsy) Kuss, sisters-in-law Jean Edens and Ruth Kuss, brother-in-law David (Cathy) Edens, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. Wayne was preceded in death by his mother Betty, his father Herman, his brothers Jack, Roger, Phillip, his sister Janet and his brother-in-law, James Eden.

Wayne was always a positive person and always said, “Everything is going to be ok.”

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau.  Rev. Timothy Smith will officiate.  Visitation will be on Friday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau and again on Saturday from 12:00 p.m. (Noon) until time of services at the church.

Memorials may be directed to the Community Foundation on behalf of the Wausau Noon Optimist, PO Box 1611, Wausau, Wi 54402.

Wayne and Mary Sue both belong to the Wausau Noon Optimist, this is the Creed.

The Optimist Creed

Promise Yourself: 

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com