Wayne R. Shong
Wayne R. Shong, 84, of White Sulpher Springs, MT, formerly of Augusta, died Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Montana.
Wayne R. Shong, the youngest son of W. Edgar and Fern (Dickinsen) Shong was born November 9, 1934 on the Shong family farm, Town of Otter Creek, Augusta, WI. He graduated May 22, 1952, from Augusta High School where he excelled in athletics. He briefly attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison on a football scholarship.
Wayne enlisted in the U.S. Army on June 2, 1955. He was stationed at Fort Campbell, KY; graduating on August 18, 1956, from the 11th. Airborne Division Angels. He served as a Military Policeman in Munich and Augsburg, Germany with the 127th Airborne Engineer Battalion. He went TDY (temporary duty) to play football overseas. Wayne was honorably discharged from active duty on May 11, 1957, and continued to serve in the reserves until honorably discharged on May 31, 1963.
Wayne began dating Rebecca R. Rugotzke on August 3, 1957, her 18th birthday. They were married on December 28, 1958, at Grace Lutheran Church in Augusta, WI. Wayne was employed as a power company lineman by Northern States Power Company in Augusta and Mondovi, WI. On August 24, 1966, Wayne was involved in an electrical accident when he was injured by 7200 volts of electricity. As a result, he suffered an amputation of his left arm.
Shortly after his injury, Wayne became the John Deere Industrial Dealer as a manager of Northwest Equipment Inc., of Eau Claire, WI. He single-handedly saved the business. He purchased a new site and constructed a building with the approval of his partners. His success was measured by his sheer determination and hard work. Due to the significant size of the territory that he covered, he earned his IFR pilot rating. He was a natural pilot in the cockpit of his twin engine Piper Seneca airplane, logging over 500 hours annually. Flying customers to the factory in Iowa and proving grounds in Arizona and Iowa as well as late night flights to pick up parts were part of his routine. He believed in providing excellent service to his customers. Wayne held this position for 25 years until the sale of the business in 1990. Following the sale of the business, Wayne joined his wife at their ranch in Meagher County, MT.
Returning to agriculture and the love of the land and animals brought him back to his roots. He raised natural black angus beef, chickens, and turkeys. He bred and raised four generations of German Wired Hair Pointers, his favorite breed of dog. He delighted in lovingly taking care of all the animals, especially his dogs.
Wayne will be remembered as a devoted husband and favorite uncle; a fierce athletic competitor; a skillful IFR multi-engine rated pilot, and an honest hard-working businessman. He enjoyed meeting and visiting with people. His hobbies included hunting, especially pheasants and elk; fishing, riding horseback, playing cribbage and pinochle.
Wayne is survived by one brother, Kenneth (Joan) Shong, Marshfield, WI., his wife’s siblings, Thomas (Barbara) Rugotzke of Eau Claire, WI; sister-in-law Martha Rugotzke of Augusta, WI, and Mary Jane (Jack) Krause of Eau Claire, WI; nieces and nephews, Glenn (Joy) Shong, Linda (Bill) Stelzer, Tami (Jeff) McLaughlin, Fay Shong (J. Tracy Mehr), Kendra (Brad) Haessly, Scott Rugotzke, Leta Rugotzke, Kelly Ann Rugotzke, Kylee (Kyle) Staebell, Kari (Ryan) Whalen, and Dr. John (Sarah) Rugotzke; 16 grandnieces and grandnephews.
Wayne was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 58 years Rebecca; parents, Edgar and Fern; two brothers, Dean Shong and Keith Shong; sister-in-law Mavis Shong; and brother-in-law David Rugotzke.
A visitation will be held Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Augusta, where funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday at the church. Services will be officiated by Pastor Jonathan Wessel, with burial in the West Lawn Cemetery in Augusta. The family is assisted by the Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta.
Wayne has requested in lieu of flowers that memorial would be appreciated and designated to any of the following;
American Lutheran Church, 411 Jefferson Street, White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645, White Sulphur Springs Volunteer Fire Dept., White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645, or Mountainview Medical Center, 16W. Main Street, White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645
online condolences can be left at www.andersonfhaugusta.com .
