Wayne John Wunderlin

Mr. Wayne John Wunderlin of Saukville, Wis., passed away Thursday evening, Aug. 6, 2026, at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital-Ozaukee Campus in Mequon. He was 87 years old.

  Wayne was born in Platteville, Wis., on April 7, 1939, the son of Joseph and Laura (Linden) Wunderlin. The youngest of 10 children, Wayne loved growing up in a big farm family.

  Following high school, Wayne earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. In graduate school, he worked on Iowa State University’s Atomic Energy Commission.

  Wayne took a position at Allis Chalmers’s machine manufacturing company in Milwaukee, Wis.

As a young adult, he was very active in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, taking part in Milwaukee’s Open Housing Marches.

Wayne later joined the local American Youth Hostel (AYH), where he met the love of his life, Roberta “Kris” Kristufek. On May 10, 1969, Wayne was united in marriage with Roberta at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Riverside, Ill. The couple lived in Greendale, Wis., as resident “house parents” for the Red Barn Youth Hostel.

  Shortly after Wayne and Kris started their own family, they moved to Saukville, where they raised their three daughters, Laura, Michelle and Kerri.

Wayne then worked as a research chemist at Delta Resins and Refractory in Milwaukee. He retired with more than 30 years of dedication to a field he loved.

  Mr. Wunderlin was a member of St John XXIII Catholic Parish, where he previously served as a lecturer and Parish Council member at Immaculate Conception Church in Saukville. Wayne was also a volunteer for Interfaith Caregivers, driving elderly people to their medical appointments.

  Wayne was a very detailed and meticulous person who, for many years, loved taking care of his yard and garden. He was an avid reader who enjoyed history and listening to music. He was passionate about current events, PBS’s enriching programs and discovering war documentaries on Netflix.

  Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Roberta; their three daughters, Laura Wunderlin-VanArsdall, Michelle (Oscar) Wunderlin-Juarez and Kerri (Tom) Lloyd; grandchildren Ian, Nathaniel, Colin, Nicholas, Allison, Oliver and Calvin and great-granddaughter Jhene.

Wayne is further survived by his brother Mark (the late Marlene) Wunderlin, sister-in-law Carol (the late Stanley) Wunderlin and many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

  He was preceded in death by his infant daughter Courtney, parents Joseph and Laura and siblings Cletus (Lucile) Wunderlin, Kathleen (Joe) Schulte, Donald Wunderlin, Doris (Don) Kitto, David (Helen) Wunderlin, Lawrence Wunderlin and Ray (Carol) Wunderlin.

  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John XXIII Parish, Immaculate Conception Church, 120 Church La., Saukville, Wis., at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14. Father Matthew Kirk will preside. The family will receive visitors at the church on Friday, Aug. 14, from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

Wayne’s final resting place will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Port Washington, Wis.

Eernisse Funeral Home in Port Washington is assisting the family with arrangements.

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