Wayne Philip Segner, age 89, of Fitchburg, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, after a brief stay at SSM Health Home Hospice in Monroe, Wis. He was born on Jan. 14, 1933, near Woodford, Wis., the son of John and Maggie (Hale) Segner. He and his brother, Elton, were raised on their parents’ dairy farm.
Wayne graduated from Monroe High School in 1951 and received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1955, in Dairy and Food Science from the UW-Madison. He was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. He served in the U.S. Army as a medic in San Antonio, Texas. In 1962 Wayne received his Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology from the UW-Madison. He received academic scholarship awards from the UW-Madison, Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and Borden Dairy Company.
Wayne married the love of his life, Mary Lou Kernan, on Oct. 13, 1956, at St. Raphael’s Cathedral in Madison. They lived in the western suburbs of the Chicago area for 52 years.
In 1954, Wayne was employed as a Laboratory QC Technician for Borden Dairy Company, in Madison. He served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps from 1955-1957 as a Clinical Microbiologist at William Beaumont Army Hospital in Fort Bliss, Texas, where he received a Letter of Commendation. From 1957-1962 he was employed as an Emergency Laboratory Technician at Madison General Hospital. Wayne worked as a Microbiologist for the Continental Can Company and Crown Cork and Seal Company in Chicago, Ill., from 1962-1998. He was the Chief Microbiologist from 1977-1998. During this time, he wrote over 20 publications and was appointed to national and international committees. In 1984 he received the US patent for
“Process for the Preservation of Green Color in Canned Vegetables.” Wayne specialized in food and dairy microbiology, botulism research, thermal and radiation destruction of bacterial spores, thermal processing requirements for canned foods, food plant sanitation and structural evaluation of metal containers and aseptic packaging.
Wayne was a life-long supporter of Wisconsin Badgers football. He and Mary Lou were season ticket holders and enjoyed tailgating and going to the games with a very special group of friends for many, many years. Wayne enjoyed golfing and gathering with their many friends in the Chicago area. He was the Vice Chairman, of Have A Heart Foundation, in Bolingbrook, Ill., from 1999-2014.
After Mary Lou’s passing in 2015, Wayne moved back to the Madison area to be closer to family and friends.
Wayne was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Mary Lou; brother, Elton Segner; nieces, Nancy Gruenewald and Cathy Winters; parents, John and Maggie Segner; and in-laws, Harold and Selma Kernan. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Darlyne Segner; nephews, Wayne A. (Laurie) Segner, Dick Gruenewald and Wes Winters; nieces, Lori (Dan) Klemm and Heidi (Rob) Treuthardt; numerous great and great-great-nieces and nephews; and special friend, Mary Lou Callin.
A private celebration of life to be held at a later date in Monroe.
Memorials may be gifted in Wayne’s name to SSM Health Monroe Hospice Home, N3252 County Road N, Monroe, WI, 53566. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com
