Wayne Schacht

Wayne Edward Schacht was called to his heavenly home on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

Wayne was born on June 18, 1936, in Lake City, Minnesota to Edward and Emma (Mickow) Schacht. He became a child of God by sacrament of Holy Baptism on July 12, 1936, and reaffirmed his baptismal faith on May 13, 1951, when he was confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lake City.

Wayne graduated from Lincoln High School in Lake City in 1954. On June 18, 1956, he married his high school sweetheart, Sonia Oliver. They soon moved to Endicott, New York where Wayne trained with IBM. They returned to MN in 1957 and made their home in Rochester where they raised their five children. Wayne retired from IBM in 1992 as a contract administrator. A year later he returned to IBM and worked part-time for another 10 years. Wayne served in the United States Army Reserve with the 544th Maintenance Unit in Wabasha, Minnesota. The unit was called into active duty in 1961 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He served at Fort Polk, Louisiana until June of 1962.

Wayne enjoyed sports as a participant and a spectator. As a youth he played basketball, football and softball. For a few years, he continued playing softball on an IBM team. He was an avid golfer for many years - always striving for perfection. One day everything went right and the next, it was all wrong! He enjoyed the outdoors, deer hunting and fishing. Taking care of his lawn, frequently mowing and trimming, was always a priority. Even in the winter you'd find him outside for hours, blowing, shoveling and sweeping snow.

Both Wayne and Sonia were huge fans of Mayo High School basketball, both boys and girls teams, and would attend hundreds of games during the regular season and all the tournament games. Still not having enough basketball, for over 30 years, they enjoyed going to the Boys State Basketball Tournament.

Wayne enjoyed playing cards (500). The 9th Avenue Card Club played together for over 50 years and enjoyed many trips and fun times together. Family gatherings spent with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were always special.

Throughout the years, Wayne served on many church boards at Resurrection Lutheran Church where he and Sonia were charter members. He taught Sunday school and served as both an Elder and Church President. He was also on the committee for the major remodel of the church Sanctuary.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 68 years, Sonia; his children Deborah (Douglas) Broeren, Kristi Schacht and Kari Schacht of Rochester, and Vicky (Robert) Shultz of Mazeppa; grandchildren Jennifer (Matt) Davidson of Plainview, Amy (Drew) Williams, Katelyn (Chris) Knoepke, and Allyson (Caleb) Messer of Rochester, Matthew Broeren, and Megan (David) Meyer of Rochester, great grandchildren Peyton and Bennett Davidson, Ellie and Cora Knoepke, Veda Messer and Waylon and Whitley Williams. Wayne is also survived by his siblings Diana Oskey, Ronald (Jana) Schacht, and Howard (Barb) Schacht. He was preceded in death by his son Gregory, his parents Edward and Emma (Mickow) Schacht, sister Shirley Simpson, brother Gordon Schacht, sister-in-law Eunice (Goihl) Schacht, Donna, Peggy, and Dorothy Oliver; brothers-in-law Kenny, Ray, Keith, and Paul Oliver, Ken Underbakke, Jeff Oskey as well as his parents-in-law Kenneth & Alice Oliver.

A funeral service for Wayne will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at Resurrection Lutheran Church (4520 19th Ave NW, Rochester, MN 55901). Visitation will be the same day from 9:30 AM until the start of the service. Burial will be at St. John's Cemetery in Lake City, MN on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 11:00 AM.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Schacht family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.