WESTON, WI (WSAU-WAOW) — The D.C. Everest school community came together on Saturday to honor the life of longtime football and track coach and teacher Wayne Steffenhagen, who died in February at the age of 79.
Friends and family told stories and shared memories of their time with the Coach, who led the Evergreens to five state titles, over a dozen conference championships, and hundreds of wins.
“There was never going to be a situation where he felt that our program or that he was going to be outworked,” Steffenhagen’s former assistant coach Mike Salter said.
But as people gathered to remember his impact, while athletics are part of the story, people remember his impact off the field just as much.
“I’m impressed by the numerous amount of times I saw Wayne listening to a person carefully so that he could either encourage them or challenge them, whichever the case may be,” Mount Calvary Lutheran Church Pastor Rich Block said.
“He’s truly interested in people and helping people improve and achieve what they were able to achieve, so that’s what’s neat to see,” Wayne’s son, Jay, said.
The memorial took place on the field named after Steffenhagen. Those in attendance were wearing the Evergreens’ school colors, as a way to honor a man who brought respect to his community athletically and socially.
Organizers chose to wait to hold a memorial service until after COVID-19 restrictions had been loosened.
