Obit: Beilfuss, Wayne (1913 - 1935)

Contact:  Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: BEILFUSS

----Sources: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 01/02/1936

Beilfuss, Wayne (22 MAR 1913 - 24 DEC 1935)

Funeral services for Wayne Beilfuss, who died from injuries received in an automobile crash, were held last Saturday at Neillsville, Wis. The many floral offerings from relatives, his classmates and from friends and the large attendance at the funeral attested to his popularity throughout the county. The following obituary is taken from the Neillsville Press:

"Wayne Dodte Beilfuss, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Beilfuss, was born at Withee (Clark Co., Wis.), March 22, 1913, being 22 years, 9 months and 2 days of age at the time of his death on Christmas Eve. He attended school at Withee until 1928 when the family moved to this city and he entered the Neillsville High School as a junior, graduating in the class of 1930.

"During his school life, both in this city and at Withee, Wayne took a keen and active interest in all phases of school affairs. He was an accomplished baritone player and from his eighth year in school played in the school bands. At Neillsville High Wayne’s popularity was immediate and he was elected president of the junior class. In speech and dramatics he soon made a name for himself, winning oratory contests during both his years here. He gave his winning orations before the Kiwanis Club later. In his senior year Wayne was editor and business manager of the annual, and turned out an especially fine edition of the Crimson and White. This annual lists Wayne’s school activities as: Football, 4; Band, 3,4; Officer 666, 3; Latin Club, 3,4; Hi-Y, 3,4; Oratory, 3,4. He was also a member of the high school quartet.

"In the fall of 1930 Wayne entered the River Falls normal school as a special student taking a pre-law course. At River Falls he played in the band an was elected president of the speech class, and sang in the normal quartet. In 1932 Wayne entered the University of Wisconsin, his brother, Bruce, and sister, Miss Bonnie, also starting their university courses that year. Wayne was particularly industrious at the university, crowding the seven year law course by attending summer school two years. He would have graduated this coming year. He was secretary and treasurer of the Gamma Etta Gamma fraternity during 1934 and 1935.

"Wayne was a young man of the highest type, brilliant of mind and possessed of a determination that carried him through whatever he undertook. His records throughout his school life are splendid achievements and at the university he was rated as an ‘A’ student. Within a few months he would have been ready to step into the practice of law to which he had been eagerly looking forward to. His death is a tremendous loss to his family and the community, and the sympathy of all goes out to his relatives. Surviving are his parents and brother and sister, Bruce and Miss Bonnie.

"Pallbearers were Delbert Eberhardt, Robert Schiller, Curtiss Zschernitz, Welton Brooks, Chester Wagner and William Gallagher.

"Those from our of the city who will be here for the services are A.J. Beilfuss of Withee, Bert Beilfuss, Minneapolis; Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Beilfuss, Withee; Arthur Beilfuss, Milwaukee; and Carl Dodte, Spokane, Wash.; and Miss Blanche Dodte, Seattle, Wash."