Wayne Henry Rose

Wayne Henry Rose, age 92, of 18 Ridgewood Ct., Whispering Springs, died May 8, 2026. He was born April 13, 1934 in FdL, the son of Henry and Vernal Rose. On Nov. 26, 1955, he married Marlene M. Melius at the Church of Peace in FdL.

Wayne graduated from FdL Senior High where he lettered in football, baseball and track. He then attended the University of Miami, Fl on a football scholarship. It was in Miami while swimming that he dove off a high dive and landed on his head on the cement. He used this incident as an excuse whenever he committed a faux pas. His family heard this anecdote often.

Wayne joined USAF and was assigned to Special Services. He was granted permission from General Wise to play semi-pro football for the Wausau Muskies in the old Central Pro League. His football career was ended early due to a severe knee injury. He received an honorable discharge from the USAF in 1957.

Wayne, known as “The Big Guy” pioneered and started Professional Collectors Corp. in 1958. He was Wisconsin Collectors Assn President in 1975. On Dec 2, 1983 he was presented the Wisconsin Collectors Distinguished Service Award, being one of only three others to receive this distinguished award in the WCA’s 75-year history.

Wayne enjoyed snowmobiling, golf and boating. He and Marlene spent many of their summers on their boat “Prime Time”. He was a member of the Fond du Lac Yacht Club. Lakeside Park’s “A” dock was the place to eat, drink and be merry with all their other boating friends. He was a devout life-long Green Bay Packers fan and provided colorful commentary during the games whether the Packers were winning or losing.

Wayne took up skiing in his 40’s to spend time and travel as a family. He skied his modified snow plow on some of the biggest mountains in the West until he was 78 when his ski boots imploded. His stylish form was recognized from afar by just his silhouette. Wayne and Marlene wintered in Naples, FL for 22 years. There he served on the Board of Directors at Harbour Cove Club for 18 years.

Wayne was widowed in 2013. After Marlene passed, he and Carol Candee, who became his best-friend and companion, spent winters in Fort Myers, FL. Their adventures were Caribbean and Alaska cruises, trips to the Badlands, Utah and yearly Door County summers partaking of the famous fish boils.

No matter where Wayne traveled or what he did for entertainment, he always visited his “happy place” as often as possible. “The Cabin” built by him and his family in northern WI over 60 years ago was his sanctuary. He especially enjoyed family weekends, deer hunting and “Boys Weekend”. Riding ATVs throughout the 80 acres, trapshooting or sitting around the bonfire at night looking at the stars and sharing life stories made him the happiest Big Guy on earth.

Surviving Wayne are his daughters, Deb Rose and DeeAnn Rose of Fond du Lac, son Brett Rose and significant other Gina Osterkorn of Chicago, IL, son Jeff and wife Patty Rose of Knoxville, TN, best-friend and companion Carol Candee of Fond du Lac, nephew Mark Weller of Pewaukee, WI, niece Wendy and husband Kurt Hintz and other great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Marlene, his sister Velma Olsen and his parents.

Visitation for Wayne Henry Rose will be Monday, May 18, 2026 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home. A short funeral service will be at 12:30 PM at the funeral home. Entombment will follow in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Ledgeview Memorial Park Cemetery where he will be re-united with his beloved wife, Marlene Rose. In lieu of flowers the family suggests making a donation to a favorite charity in Wayne’s name.

The family would like to thank his caregivers at The Meadows of Fond du Lac and Moments Hospice for their wonderful care, kindness and compassion shown during his last days.

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com