Wayne Nowicki

WAYNE ROBERT NOWICKI of Stoddard passed away peacefully on January 5th, 2026. He was born on June 22, 1932 in Chicago, IL. and was one of four children born to Chester and Anna Nowicki.

Wayne joined the US Air Force after high school in 1952 during the Korean War with 3 overseas deployments. He was honorably discharged after serving for 8 years. He studied electrical engineering and was employed by Allis Chalmers Nuclear Power Division at their nuclear research lab. He later worked as a start up engineer on three nuclear power plants being built in the upper Midwest. While employed there he met the love of his life, Rita.

Wayne was united in marriage to Rita Kierzek on August 9, 1963 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Joseph, Minnesota. They were married for 57 years. Wayne and Rita were blessed with two children: Susan and Amy.

Wayne and Rita moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin in 1963, where Wayne worked for Dairyland Power Cooperative as the instrument engineer and electrical supervisor at the Genoa Nuclear Power Plant. He retired after 30 years. Wayne received a life saving award for saving a fellow employee's life. Wayne was very involved in his children's lives. He was a member of the Mary Mother Church family. He was a member of the Stoddard American Legion Post 315 for over 58 years. He was also a professional musician, playing the accordion for many years with local bands. Wayne also had the privilege of attending the Freedom Honor Flight to Washington DC.

Wayne is survived by his daughters Susan (Jeff) Becker, Amy (Mike) Schultz; Grandchildren: Carissa (Josh) David, Sara (Kiel) Warwick, Jordyn (Tyler) Hom, Jasmyn Hill, Kyle and Riley Schultz; Great grandchildren: Jackson Wayne, Louella, Benjamin, Leo, Jayda, Alexys and Chelsey; two sisters Barbara and Marian, brothers-in-law, Harvey (Mary) and Donald (Roxanne) and many nephews, nieces and other extended family.

Wayne was preceded in death by his wife Rita, his parents, brother John (Shirley); brothers in law Carroll and Robert, and nephew, Brennan Kierzek.

A memorial mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 13 at Mary Mother of the Church Parish, 2006 Weston Street, La Crosse. Family and friends may visit from 9:30 a.m. until the time of mass at the church. Burial will be at the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery in La Crosse with military honors.

Online condolences may be made at www.blaschkeschneider.com.