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Louis Wayne, or Wayne as he was known was a line supervisor at Shield Bantam in Wavery, Iowa. He began work there as a painter of the machinery and worked his way up the ladder until his retirement. He began school at 4 and graduated from Randalia high school at 17. He didn't want to work with his father, Ralph on the family farm, so sought work in a nearby town. Since he was only 17, no business would hire him. He decided to work with his brother-in-law, Ralph Wegner on his farm. He soon found his brother-in-law was just like Ralph in temperment, so a couple of years later got a job with a friend after marrying Rosella McComb. That led to his getting a job at Shield Bantam in Waverly on a production line in the paint shop.
Wayne played football in high school, was a good athlete. He and his brother, Norman would compete in family contests, such as racing ponies. Norman, being older always won, especially racing ponies. Norman was a natural athlete and could handle horses very well, didn't make any difference which horse he rode. Wayne was taught to sing by a neighbor who would babysit for Emma and Ralph. He sang his first solo at 4 years of age and then a woman gave him voice lessons. He sang solos in school and met his future wife, Rosie, as she became his accompanist. He would sing in the church choir. He began playing a trumpet in band. His brother, Norman was a very good tuba player and was asked to play in the Randalia band after he had graduated from Independence. After Norman's death in 1938, the band instructor asked Wayne if he would switch to tuba to take his brother's place. Wayne did and became a very good tuba player. Like his father, Wayne was an excellent student. He was disgusted that his sisters, Lucille and Dorothy could go to college, but he couldn't. He was expected to help with the family farm. While he enjoyed farming, he didn't want to work with and for his father.
Wayne had a ready smile, an easy laugh and was pleasant to be around. He loved his family and loved to tease and have fun. He began smoking after graduation from highschool and never could give it up. His smoking finally caught up with his health in later years and he developed COPD which led to his death. He enjoyed having horses and farming tasks. When his son, Rodney purchased a farm outside of Frederika, Wayne enjoyed helping him farm it.
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