WAYNE J. WUNDERLIN

Mr. Wayne John Wunderlin of Saukville, WI, passed away Thursday evening, August 6, 2026, at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital, Ozaukee Campus in Mequon. He was 87 years old.

Wayne was born in Platteville, WI, on April 7, 1939, son of Joseph and Laura (Linden) Wunderlin. The youngest of ten children, Wayne loved growing up in a big farm family.

Following high school, Wayne earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from UW-Platteville. In graduate school he worked on Iowa State University’s Atomic Energy Commission.

Wayne took a position at Allis Chalmers’s machine manufacturing company in Milwaukee, WI.

As a young adult, he was very active in the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement, taking part in Milwaukee’s Open Housing Marches.

Wayne later joined the local American Youth Hostel (AYH) where he met the love of his life, Roberta “Kris” Kristufek. On May 10, 1969, Wayne was united in marriage with Roberta at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Riverside, IL. The couple lived in Greendale, WI as resident “house parents” for the Red Barn Youth Hostel.

Shortly after Wayne and Kris started their own family, they moved to Saukville where they raised their three daughters: Laura, Michelle and Kerri. Wayne then worked as a research chemist at Delta Resins and Refractory in Milwaukee. He retired with over 30 years of dedication to a field he loved.

Mr. Wunderlin was a member of St John XXIII Parish, where he previously served as a lecturer and parish council member at Immaculate Conception Church in Saukville. Wayne also had volunteered as an Interfaith Caregiver, driving the elderly to their medical appointments.

Wayne was a very detailed and meticulous person who, for many years, loved taking care of his yard and garden. He was an avid reader who enjoyed history and listening to music. He was passionate about current events in the news, PBS’s enriching programs, and discovering war documentaries on Netflix.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Roberta, their three daughters: Laura Wunderlin-VanArsdall, Michelle (Oscar) Wunderlin-Juarez, and Kerri (Tom) Lloyd, and grandchildren Ian, Nathaniel, Colin, Nicholas, Allison, Oliver, and Calvin as well as great-granddaughter, Jhene. Wayne is further survived by his brother Mark (the late Marlene) Wunderlin, sister-in-law Carol (the late Stanley) Wunderlin and many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his infant daughter Courtney, parents Joseph and Laura, siblings Cletus (Lucile) Wunderlin, Kathleen (Joe) Schulte, Donald Wunderlin, Doris (Don) Kitto, David (Helen) Wunderlin, Lawrence Wunderlin, and Ray (Carol) Wunderlin.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John XXIII – Immaculate Conception Church (120 Church Lane, Saukville, WI) at 2:00PM on Friday, August 14th. Father Matthew Kirk will preside at the Mass. The family will receive visitors at the church on Friday, August 14th from 12:30pm –2:00pm. Wayne’s final resting place will be a St. Mary’s Cemetery, Port Washington, WI.

The Eernisse Funeral Home in Port Washington is assisting the family with arrangements; online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com .