Wayne Stanley Goplin

Wayne Goplin, 82, of Gays Mills, died Thursday, December 15, 2022, after a brief illness. He was born August 8, 1940, at the home farm near Blue River, WI, to Jesse and Irene Goplin. Wayne was the oldest of three children.

Wayne grew up on a dairy farm near Blue River and graduated from Blue River High School in 1958. He then graduated from the University of Wisconsin, taking the Farm Short Course.

He married his high school sweetheart Luanne Everson on April 4, 1959, at the United Methodist Church in Blue River. In 1960, Wayne and Luanne moved to Platteville.

Wayne then worked for the University Of Wisconsin-Platteville as Dairy Herdsman for four years, then decided to go back to school, attending the University of Wisconsin-Platteville to study agriculture. While living in Platteville Wayne was a member of the Platteville Fire Department and served as President of the Platteville Jaycees. Wayne and Luanne moved to Janesville in 1971.

He spent his career in the field of agriculture, developing meaningful relationships with the farming communities in Platteville, Janesville and throughout southern Wisconsin.

Since retirement, Wayne has stayed very busy. He was a school bus driver for North Crawford Schools for 17 years, where he loved the kids and was much more than just their driver; he was their friend. In addition, he was the coach for the North Crawford girl's softball team. He also enjoyed serving as the Site Leader/Lay Leader for the Soldiers Grove, Gays Mills, and North Clayton campuses of BMZ Church.

Wayne was very proud of the Norwegian heritage that he shared with Luanne, and he enjoyed sharing stories that reflected that heritage, including visiting the homestead in Norway.

Wayne has had a music ministry for over 45 years, including being a member of the Oracles Gospel Quartet for over 30 years and a Lay Speaker for United Methodist Churches for the past eight years.

Wayne also enjoyed hunting, fishing, family reunions, and especially playing baseball with church and recreation leagues.

Wayne and Luanne opened up Norskhaven Coffee and Gift Shoppe in Gays Mills in 1989 where Wayne enjoyed meeting people which led to long-lasting relationships.

Wayne had felt the call to start a Cowboy Church for many years. He was excited to serve as Pastor of Kickapoo Cowboy Church, beginning May 1, 2016.

Wayne’s love and devotion was evident by spending the last several years caring for Luanne suffering from a long illness.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Luanne; infant son; and parents, Jesse and Irene Goplin. Wayne is survived by three children, Penny (Jay) Mansur, David (Janet) Goplin, and Dan Goplin (Jeff); 11 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren, his sister Rita Dilley and brother Ron (Deb) Goplin.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 22, 2022, at the BMZ United Methodist Church in Boscobel, WI. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21, at the BMZ United Methodist Church in Boscobel. Additional visitation will be held Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Wayne will be laid to rest at the Blue River Cemetery. Online Condolences may be expressed at www.vossfh.com.

Vosseteig Funeral Home & Crematory is serving Wayne's family.

325 Sunset Ridge Ave.

Gays Mills, WI 54631