Wayne E. Barcus
Dr. Wayne Edmund Barcus of Menomonie, WI, passed away peacefully on October 15th, 2025 surrounded by his loving family after a brief battle with leukemia, at the age of 94.
Wayne was a true renaissance man. He had a lifelong joy of learning and was a quintessential people person. Everyone who met him would gravitate to his infectious personality. Born in the Northwoods of Minnesota near Bovey, he grew up on Little Island Lake where his family built and ran Wildview Lodge.
Wayne was the fourth of four sons. As a child, he and his brothers were fast friends spending their time hunting, trapping, fishing, and doing chores on the small family farm that eventually would become Wildview Lodge. There were countless stories of the hard times of life back then and the sacrifices that were made to help make life better for the family. Wayne graduated from Grand Rapids High School in 1949, and eventually decided to attend North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND studying agriculture. He had a strong academic backbone and was encouraged by his friend Roger to apply to veterinary college. After two years at NDSU, Wayne applied to the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and was accepted, graduating in the class of 1957. Wayne met his love, Colleen on a blind date while in veterinary school, and they were married October 10th 1959. After graduation Wayne worked for the state of Minnesota testing cattle out of the Princeton area, and later worked in a practice there. Wayne and Colleen seized an opportunity to move to Menomonie, Wisconsin in 1960 to join a practice with his classmate, Jack Register. Eventually, they took over and built what would become a large, dairy focused, mixed animal practice: the Menomonie Veterinary Clinic. Wayne never actually retired. He practiced seriously until his late 80’s and took certain calls into his 90’s. Farmers loved Wayne, “Doc,” and would always ask for him. He cultivated many relationships with his clients and in the community over the years. Along the way, his passion for the Northwoods and small family resorts began to bubble up. In 1977, he found a little resort on Red Cedar Lake in Barron County just south of Birchwood, WI. Wayne fell in love, and the rest is history. He founded and nurtured Cedar Cove Resort, running it for 48 years, right through this season. He loved hosting the countless families that came back year after year, many for well over 30 years. He became friends with many of the guests over the years. First and foremost, Wayne was a family man. He loved spending time with his kids and later his grand kids. Fishing and hunting were often part of the mix. Many days were spent up at what we all affectionately call, “The Ranch,” which started as his hunting sanctuary, and soon became where he spent much of his time when caring for the resort. There were innumerable dinners with great food and wines at the Ranch over the years. He cherished those times, as did we.
Wayne was a lifetime member of the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association, Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association, and a longtime member of the Menomonie Rotary Club.
Wayne and Colleen had 3 children. Kevin, who followed in his father’s footsteps and became a small animal veterinarian graduating from the U of MN in 1986, David who received a master’s degree in risk Control and has been working in the Environmental Health & Safety Industry for over 30 years, and Loriann who earned a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and provides outpatient therapy in Menomonie. He was immensely proud of his children and grandchildren, and would happily tell you all about them. He was proud and grateful for veterinary medicine and the wonderful life it gave him.
Wayne is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Colleen; their children Kevin Barcus (Vicki), David Barcus (Christine), Loriann Barcus; and grandchildren, Scott, Jeffrey, Lauren, Taylor, Alexandra, and Carly. Preceded in death by his beloved parents, Harry and Frances Barcus; cherished brothers Douglas, Robert, and Glen Barcus.
The family wishes to express their deepest thanks to all the wonderful caregivers at Mayo Health Systems, St. Croix Hospice, and The Neighbors of Dunn County for their kindness, compassion, and care of Wayne and our family during this time.
There will be a visitation from 1:00 to 3:00 PM on Saturday November 1, 2025, at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Menomonie, WI.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, November 2, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, preceded by a visitation at 10:00 AM, at the Off Broadway Banquet & Conference Center in Menomonie, WI. The program and sharing of memories will begin at 11:00 AM followed by lunch.
Memorials can be made to: Menomonie Rotary Club or the Dunn County Animal Humane Society
Condolences may be made online at www.rhielfuneralhome.com
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Menomonie is serving the family.