Dennis Duane Wegner

Dennis Duane Wegner, age 86, of Town of Richmond, passed away on Monday, May 25, 2026, in Shawano. Dennis was born on May 12, 1940, on the home farm in the Town of Richmond, to the late William and Helen H. Wegner. He graduated from Shawano High School in 1958. After graduation, in May of 1958, Dennis entered the United States Air Force where he became a parachute rigger and parachute packer. While in the Air Force he was able to be stationed at Chanute AFB, Illinois, Topeka, Kansas, Turkey, Korea, China, Taiwan and Japan. He had the opportunity to swim in the Mediterranean Sea. Dennis served his country proudly and was honorably discharged in July of 1962.
On November 10, 1962, he was united in marriage to Helen M. Shelstad at Faith Lutheran Church in Madison, Minnesota. The couple welcomed their sons, Kevin, Rodney and Douglas on the family farm that Dennis was born on. He worked as a farmer on the family farm for his whole life and sold seed corn on the side. Dennis became a pilot in 1979, having planes at home. He was a member of the Shawano Civil Air Patrol. Dennis worked at the Shawano Airport when he took time away from the farm. In his free time, he enjoyed playing cards, fishing on Shawano Lake and Red River, and going to the cottage. Dennis was a stern, straight to the point, disciplined man who was honest and hard working. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He will be deeply missed.
Dennis is survived by his wife of 64 years, Helen M. Wegner; sons, Kevin (Connie) Wegner and Douglas (Christie) Wegner; grandchildren, Ethan (Danielle), Aaron (Melissa), Brandon (Emily), Kayla (significant other, Preston), Rosella, Claire and Paul; great-grandchildren, Lou, William, Riplee, Evelyn, Clayton, Ellie and baby grandson due in October; sisters, Sonja (James) Prellwitz and Jacquelyn Goerl; brothers, Garth (Linda) Wegner, Reggie (Patti) Wegner and Scottie Wegner; and in-laws, Nancy Wegner, Jo Rita Wegner, Marie Shelstad and Carl Kupsky. He is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Dennis is preceded in death by his son, Rodney in infancy; parents, William, Sr., and Helen H. Wegner; sister, Dorraine (Robert) Degner; brothers, William (Evelyn, Joanne) Wegner, Jr., Robert Wegner, Keith Wegner in infancy, Warren Wegner and Miles Wegner; and in-laws, Roger Goerl, Henry and Mabel Shelstad, Marlow and Ethel Shelstad, Edwin Shelstad and Shirley Kupsky.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano with Pastor Scott Ludford officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, from 9:30 am until the time of service. Military Honors will be conducted following the service by the Shawano VFW Post #2723. Swedberg Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
www.swedbergfuneralhome.com