Wayne King Potter, 72, passed away Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 28, 2012 in Las Vegas, NV.

He was born on Nov. 21st, 1940 in Madison, SD as the middle child of three to Milo and Vera (King) Potter.  After moving to Pipestone, MN early in life, Wayne graduated from Pipestone High School in 1959.  During a lengthy and adventurous college career, Wayne earned an Associate’s Degree from the University of Minnesota in 1963, a B.S. in Elementary Education in 1967, and a Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling in 1971 from Winona State University.

In 1963, Wayne married Jacqueline Freeman of Tracy, MN, and they had a son, Michael, who was born in 1964.  Wayne taught 5th grade in Adams, WI from 1967 to 1972 followed by two years as an elementary guidance counselor in Hanau, Germany.  Upon returning to the U.S., Wayne was employed as an elementary guidance counselor in Sparta, WI followed by 19 years as a K – 12 guidance counselor in New Lisbon, WI.

Wayne and Jacque divorced, and Wayne later married Kathleen (Butler) of New Lisbon, WI in 1993.  Wayne and Kathy were devoted to each other to the end, and anyone who had the privilege of spending time with the two of them together knew two things:  how much they loved each other, and that Kathy is guaranteed a spot in Heaven someday.  J

Wayne loved the outdoors with golfing, softball, fishing, trap-shooting, and deer hunting being frequent activities, but pheasant hunting was one of his true passions since childhood.  Wayne liked to shoot pool and play cards, and there has been a lot of interesting discussion over the years as to who the real “pigeons” were at the local Sheepshead, Hearts, and Poker tables.  He was also known to have visited a casino now and then with Blackjack, Pai-Gow Poker, and Joker Poker being favorite activities.  Horse-racing trips to Arlington Park and Canterbury Park were frequent activities as well as he greatly enjoyed playing the horses all of his adult life.

Wayne was proud of his many years of service on the Germantown Town Board.  He also took pride in his appointment by Governor Tommy Thompson to the Wisconsin Group Insurance Board where he served many years as well.

A lifelong Minnesota Vikings fan, Wayne loved football and never met a favorite he couldn’t bet.  To his credit though, his last bet was on underdog Wisconsin against Nebraska in the 2012 Big Ten Championship game.  And when the Badgers squeaked by 70-31, Wayne went out a winner.  J

Anyone who knew Wayne knew that he lived life to the fullest and did it his way.  He was fortunate to have had many friends, and there are literally hundreds of “Wayne” stories that have been told and re-told over the years.  The man was truly an original.

Wayne was preceded in death by his father and his mother, his step-father Gordy Morgan, and his older brother Gary.

Wayne is survived by his wife Kathy of Las Vegas, his son Mike and his significant other Sandy Amundson of Minnetonka, MN, his sister Carol Schutte and her husband Tom, their children Kris and Patrick, Kathy’s father Ron Butler and mother Lyndall Mack, and Kathy’s brother Dave and his wife Sheri.

Wayne was an organ donor and chose to be cremated.  In keeping with his wishes, there will not be a funeral.  Instead, there will be a Celebration of Life party being held on May 11th, 2013 at the Germantown Town Hall located near Castle Rock Lake between New Lisbon and Mauston, WI.  Nobody loved a good time more than Wayne, so please bring your best “Wayne” stories to share with everyone. 

In lieu of flowers/gifts, memorials are preferred and may be directed to the Pheasants Forever Wayne Potter Memorial Fund, 1783 Buerkle Circle, White Bear Lake, MN 55110.