Wayne Meins

Mr. Wayne Meins of Port Washington passed away Tuesday evening, Jan. 20, 2026, while surrounded by his loving family. He was 82 years old.

  Wayne was born in Port Washington on April 1, 1943, the son of Lester and Manita (nee Mueller) Meins.

He attended local schools and graduated from Port Washington High School with the  Class of 1961 before enlisting in the U.S. Navy.

  On Oct. 29, 1966, Wayne was united in marriage with Judith “Judi” Loof at St. Matthias Mission in Auburn, Wis.  The couple settled in the Town of Port and raised their family. They were blessed with five children and later five other children with the gift of family as foster parents.

  Wayne worked at Bolens Manufacturing Co. for more than 30 years. Following his retirement, he took on the groundskeeping position at Immaculate Conception Church and Ozaukee Christian School in Saukville. He was known by many of the children as “Grandpa Wayne.”

  Wayne was a faithful member of St. John XXIII Catholic Parish.

He loved being outside; bird watching, gardening and landscaping were just some of the many things that kept him engaged, as well as fishing, goose hunting and smoking his own fish. Wayne was a Scout leader for many years and loved passing on skills such as woodworking and campfire building. He was a peach cobbler connoisseur, especially when made over the campfire, and his stir-fries were legendary.

Above all else, he loved his family and his grandchildren. Time spent with them was always the best, even if it was simply mowing the lawn together.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Judi and their children Jonathan “Jon” (Vickie) Meins of Port Washington, Kari (Eric) Dombrowski of Random Lake, Jamie (Bernard “Bud” Kleiman) Meins of Palm Bay, Fla., Kristal (Scott) Palubiski of Grafton and Kelly (Will) Orten of Port Washington.

He is further survived by 13 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, brother Harland (Marian) Meins of Port Washington, nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, brother Dale Meins and sister-in-law Nancy Meins.

  A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, at St. John XXIII Parish, St. Peter of Alcantara Church, 1800 N. Wisconsin St., Port Washington. Father Patrick Wendt will preside over the Mass. The family will receive visitors at the church on Thursday, Jan. 29, from 4 p.m. until Mass begins at 6 p.m.

Wayne will be laid to rest with military honors the following day at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Port Washington.

  In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family are suggested.

Eernisse Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuenralhome.com.