Wayne Edward Geist
Wayne Edward Geist, 83, Chippewa Falls, passed away Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, at Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Eau Claire.
Wayne was born Sept. 15, 1940.
He served his community as a police officer, working as a patrolman, sergeant, detective and chief of police. Wayne started his career in March of 1966, in Cornell, and transferred to Bloomer, in November 1970.
During that time, he also served as a first responder and emergency medical technician (EMT No. 956). From August 1991, until his retirement in July 1996, Wayne was Bloomer’s chief of police.
After retiring, he moved to his lake house in Winter. He served on the Winter School Board, from 2004-07, and also served as town chairman for the Town of Winter.
Wayne was a member of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, Northwest Peace Officer Association and a lifetime member of the Wisconsin Trappers Association. Prior to, and even while working, in law enforcement, Wayne had multiple other job titles: farmer, overthe- road trucker, beer distributor, lumber mill operator and logger.
He is survived by his wife – Sandra; brother – Dennis (Rosemary) Geist; sister – Joanne (Jim) Gingras; children – Larry (Dodee) Geist, Lonnie Geist, Brad (Heidi) Geist, Bill (Tanya) Holbrook, Wayne (Lisa) Geist, Wendy Jo (Mike) Bergh and Wade (Becki) Geist; grandchildren – Cowan (Lesley), Stacey, Alicia, Nick, Tommy (Melanie), Jasmine (Kenny), Jacob, Thomas, Sarah, Michael, Paul, Lynn, Jessica, Amanda, Justin (Kelly), Eric (Sara), Kyle (Hannah), Mitchell (Caley), Isaac (Alishia) and Memphis; and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents – Joseph and Mary Geist; brothers – Joe and Jack; sister – Diane; son – Brian; grandson – Stephen; and granddaughter – Sara.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Nov. 11, at Cornell American Legion Hall in Cornell, from noon to 4 p.m.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.bortonleiserfuneralhome. com. Borton-Leiser Funeral Home and Cremation Services, in Cornell, is assisting the family.
