Wayne A Vorpagel

Wayne Arthur Vorpagel went home to rest on May 11th, 2026, after 85 years of bringing joy and happiness to this world. Wayne was officially born very early in the morning of April 2nd, 1941, though his family always suspected the doctor had been bribed to keep his birthday off April Fools' Day. He grew up on the farm and learned lessons that would serve him well throughout life: the value of persistence, an open mind to new solutions, enjoyment of simple pleasures, and, most of all, love for family.

Wayne began his long association with Badger High School as part of the first graduating class. He had several notable achievements, including being the first Homecoming King, scoring the first football touchdown, hitting the first home run for the baseball team, and eventually being included in the first-ever class of the Badger Wall of Success.

It was also at Badger High School that he began his long association with Elaine Cammers, whom he would marry on November 10th, 1962, at Immanuel Lutheran Church. It was a loving, joyous, and dance-filled marriage that would last until his passing.

Their marriage produced two sons, Scott and Tim. His family grew to include daughters-in-law Kathy and Jeanne, grandson Nick (Sarah), granddaughters Abbey (Eric) and Victoria, and great-grandchildren Levi, Emilia, Eloise, and Simona, and every one of them was the most important thing in Wayne's life.

Wayne’s dedication to helping them excel in their lives led to what he would become most well-known for: coaching. Whether it was football, basketball, or, most importantly, baseball, Coach Wayne was there to help not only Scott and Tim but also generations of other young people learn lessons on the field. It was the thrill of a lifetime for him to reach over 60 years of coaching baseball and be involved with the Badger High School Baseball Team’s State Championship run.

In addition to his coaching, Wayne had a 39-year career at the Lake Geneva Post Office, dodging dogs and making long-lasting relationships, was an involved member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, and loved trains, both life-size and model. If you were ever lucky enough to see Wayne’s basements, you were sure to be impressed by his collection, and he loved sharing it with the young and the young at heart.

We can all remember Wayne by celebrating his kindness, his willingness to help, and his love of family. We should also all remember to eat dessert first, a mantra that Wayne held true to until the end. He especially enjoyed pie à la mode.

Wayne was predeceased by his parents, Herbert and Gertrude (nee Gauger).

A wake will be held on Friday, May 22nd from 4-7PM at the Lazarczyk Family Funeral Home (515 Center Street, Lake Geneva, WI) . A second visitation will be on Saturday, May 23rd, starting at 10am at Immanuel Lutheran Church (700 North Bloomfield Rd, Lake Geneva, WI) followed by the funeral service at 11 AM and burial to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. If you would like, in lieu of flowers, the family plans on purchasing equipment for the Badger Baseball Team in Wayne’s memory, all donations will go toward those purchases. Donations can be sent by check directly to the Funeral Home at 515 Center Street, Lake Geneva, WI 53147.

Lazarczyk Family Funeral Homes of Lake Geneva and Delavan are proudly serving the family.