Wayne G. Grabowski, age 78, of Elkhorn, WI, died on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at Aurora Lakeland Medical Center in Elkhorn, WI. Wayne was born on September 19, 1947, the son of the late George and Veronica (Zukowski) Grabowski. Wayne married Christine Kot on October 23, 1981, and shared 45 years and memories together. Wayne was in sales and worked proudly for NIBCO for 20 years before he retired; after retirement, he loved to grow vegetables and can vegetables and soups. Wayne was a helping hand at the Elkhorn Food Pantry and was also a die-hard Cubs and Bears fan; he was a connoisseur of good bourbon and wine, and he enjoyed golfing, camping, cooking, and trying any and all new recipes. Wayne was a proud Army veteran and also served as a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, and at one time was a Grand Knight at his former homes in Texas and Illinois. Wayne was known as the dog snack giver to Molly, Madison, all the family, and the neighbor dogs.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Christine; children, Debbie (Jeff) Frazier, Chris (Redd) Messerschmidt, Ed (Heather) Zapolsky; grandchildren, Ashly Frazier, Kaitlyn Frazier, Kali Frazier, Gabriella Zapolsky, Anthony Zapolsky, Layla Zapolsky, Stan Messerschmidt, and Izzy Messerschmidt; Wayne was also an uncle, great uncle, and friend to many.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 107 W. Walworth Street, Elkhorn, WI, on Friday, July 10, 2026, at 12Noon. Visitation will take place before Mass at Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Home and Crematory, 730 N. Wisconsin Street, from 9:00 AM until 11:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Wayne’s name to Tunnels to Towers, 5775 Wayzata Boulevard Suit 700, St. Louis Park, MN 55416, or a food donation can be made in his honor to the Elkhorn Food Pantry. Wayne’s arrangements are under the direction of Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Home and Crematory of Elkhorn, WI.
