Wayne W. Ledebuhr

Wayne William Ledebuhr, 74, of Winona, Minnesota, passed away on the evening of June 25, 2026, doing what he loved most: soaring through the skies above the town where he was born before a tragic accident while landing his Airborne Edge ultralight trike aircraft occurred. He was 74 years old and lived those years with a dedication to others, a curiosity, and an adventurous spirit that made Wayne a singular figure in every life he touched.

Born in Winona on January 21, 1952, Wayne came into the world curious and he never lost that. Wayne was proud that he attended the one room school house in Homer where he was raised. After grades 1-6 there, he went to W-K school for Jr. High and graduated Winona Senior High School in 1970. He attended Winona State University finishing his computer education at Aurora University in Illinois. Long before his oldest son was born in 1978, Wayne had already logged almost 500 skydiving jumps and earned his pilots license. Two accomplishments that said everything about the kind of man he was: someone who looked at the sky and saw an invitation. That spirit of adventure carried him across the water as well. Wayne was a devoted sailor who owned several Hobie Cats over the years, and the stories from those voyages grew into the kind of family lore that gets told and retold for generations. He owned a speedboat for most of his life and was equally at home on the water as he was in the air. An avid snow skier and water skier, Wayne taught countless children and adults how to do both, a reflection of his generous spirit and his genuine joy in bringing others along for the ride. The last two years he loved giving friends and family trips down the Mississippi in his pontoon wearing his Captain shirt and hat.

What Wayne was most known for, though, had nothing to do with the sky or the water. It was simpler than that: he always showed up. He was at every sports game, every practice, every moment his kids needed him on the field or in the driveway. He always answered the phone. No matter who needed him or what they needed, Wayne was there. He gave his time to everyone around him; freely, fully and without ever asking for anything in return. He was a true renaissance man who seemed to know something meaningful about almost everything, but what made him extraordinary was not what he knew, it was how genuinely he wanted to keep learning. He always wanted to know why. He always wanted to know how. And whatever he discovered he shared. That same devotion extended to family in the deepest sense. Wayne almost single-handedly compiled a comprehensive and extensive genealogy of the Ledebuhr family, preserving its history for generations to come and for years organized and led annual family reunions that brought everyone together. He had an extraordinary pride in where his family came from and an equally extraordinary commitment to making sure no one forgot it.

He was a loyal and trusted friend, devoted father and grandfather who was deeply, actively present in the lives of his grandchildren. Those who knew him would say Wayne was a gentleman.

Wayne and Gayle were also prominent figures on the dance floors in Winona and Wisconsin whether it was two stepping in cowboy hats and boots to Old Country music or getting down with 50’s – 60’s music. They traveled extensively around the country including Alaska and Hawaii with only 7 states left to to complete the whole USA. They also loved cruising the Caribbean and soaking up the sun and culture.

Wayne and Gayle were very active in the Winona EAA Chapter 919 flying club out at the airport where Wayne was acting President. He led the meetings, arranging guest speakers and engaging those who love aviation in deep conversations. He enjoyed talking with all the pilots at the hangars and hearing their stories and learning about their planes as well.

Wayne is survived by his beloved wife, Gayle Fratzke Ledebuhr whom he married in 2022; his three sons: Bill Ledebuhr and his wife Robyn; Brian Ledebuhr and his wife Meg; and Mark Ledebuhr and his partner Lena. All three are survived by their mother, Margaret Weldon. Step-daughter, Mandi Beach and her husband Don; step-son, Robbie Waldera and his wife Amy; his grandchildren: Brian Jr., Jake, Addison, Jackson, and Hank; step-grandchildren: Cole, Carson and Cayden Waldera; and Sage Jaspers; brothers: Bob and Dave Ledebuhr; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Margaret (Suhr) Ledebuhr, and his brother, William, who passed away in infancy.

In lieu of flowers and/or memorials gifts will be presented to the Winona EAA Chapter 919 to help the chapter grow like Wayne so desired.

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 PM on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at St. Mary's Cemetery in Winona.  Following the burial, a celebration of Wayne's life will be held at the Elks Club in Goodview, beginning with a service of remembrance at 2:30 PM, and continuing until 6:30 PM.