Obit: Gower, Wayne Archie (1937 - 2021)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Gower, Durham, Olson, Whitney

----Source: Marshfield News-Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., WI) 4/12/2022

Gower, Wayne Archie (26 April 1937 – 31 December 2021)

Wayne Archie Gower, age 84, of Marshfield, passed away early morning of December 31, 2021, at Marshfield Medical Center.

Wayne was born on April 26, 1937, the son of Glen and Angie (Durham) Gower in the town of Grant, Clark County, WI. He attended Cozy Corner Grade School until 8th grade and then graduated from Granton High school in 1956. Wayne began working at Weyerhauser until he was 21 at which time, he was old enough to drive truck. His first trucking job was for Central Cheese. During this time, he met his future wife, Joan (Olson) Gower. The two were married on September 26, 1964. She preceded him in death in March of 2017. The couple had two children, David Gower of Hot Springs, MT and Tricia (Gower) Whitney of Green Bay. He is further survived by 5 grandsons, 4 granddaughters and 2 great grandchildren.

Wayne drove semi-truck his whole career. Before retirement in 2002, he owned his own truck and drove for Roehl Transport. Added all up, Wayne drove 43 years and 5,000,000 miles. We liked to say that he had the US road atlas memorized and knew all of the best truck stops to eat at.

Wayne also had a lifetime love of riding his Harley. 68 years of riding to be exact. He and Joan went to the bike rally in Sturgis, SD nine times together and Wayne went once after Joan passed away. He anxiously awaited warm weather each year to get back out on the road with his bike.

Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Richard and a sister, Berdine and his loving wife.

A Memorial Services will be held 11:00 A.M. on April 22, 2022, at Hansen-Schilling Funeral Home of Marshfield. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9:30-11:00 A.M. on April 22, 2022. Burial will take place at Hillside Cemetery in Marshfield.

Wayne was an animal lover his whole life. In Lieu of flowers, we ask that a donation to the Humane society be made in Wayne's name.

Online condolences may be made at www.hansenschillingfuneralhome.com.