Wayne Thomas Rolfs

Wayne Rolfs peacefully passed into heaven from his Fontana, WI, home holding the hand of the love of his life, Judith, while surrounded by his beloved family on July 30, 2022. In his last days Wayne continued to display the theme of his life to love God above all and to love others as oneself. He often reminded visitors of the three most important questions we all must ask: Where did I come from? What is my purpose? Where do I go from here? Wayne knew without a doubt these answers and his greatest desire was to honor God in all he did. Surely there was a great celebration in heaven upon his arrival.

Wayne was born in Chicago on March 4,1938 to Virgil and Mildred (Sadecky) Rolfs. From childhood on, Wayne had a passion for sports and was a gifted athlete. He attended Northern Illinois University on a golf scholarship and graduated with a business and marketing degree, completed a tour of duty with the National Guard and then married his sweetheart, Judith. Wayne had a successful career in sales and marketing as Vice President of Puritan Industries, Chicago, before changing course to become a PGA Golf Professional and full-time minister of God’s love. The family relocated to Delavan Lake, WI where he founded Silver Sands Golf Academy in 1975, mentoring thousands of junior and adult golfers over the decades. Wayne continued coaching high school golf after his retirement. 

During his long, adventurous life, Wayne constantly looked for opportunities to share his love for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He served as a church elder, undertook short term mission trips and Cursillo retreats, taught religious education classes, worked at Fellowship of Christian Athletes camps, and sang in church choirs.

Most recently, God used Wayne’s spiritual insights and storytelling skills to write a daily blog to inspire others in their faith journey. These blogs were later compiled and published as books in two volumes of Thoughts For Today, Words For Tomorrow available on Amazon. Wayne’s favorite pastimes were golfing, fishing, writing, reading, and caring for his woodland home’s wildlife, but his greatest delight was spending time with his wife Judith and growing family, his chief pride and joy. 

Wayne is survived by his treasured co-laborer for Christ, Judith Rolfs, and children: Tamara Swan, Pamela (John) Ostrander, David (Kathleen) Rolfs, and Daniel (Stephanie) Rolfs; grandchildren Jack Swan, Katie (Alex) Morgunov, Steven Ostrander, Daniel (Jennifer) Ostrander, Joshua Rolfs, and Anna Rolfs; and four great-grandchildren (Brayden, Sklyar, Alyana, and Leia.) He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters Deanna Olsen, Janice Rolfs; and his grandson Andrew Swan.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 19, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Calvary Community Church in Williams Bay, WI. A Mass will be offered for Wayne at St. Andrew’s in Delavan, WI on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at 8 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Inspiration Ministries for the Handicapped, Route 67, Walworth, WI  53184.

The service at Calvary Community Church will be live streamed. Please follow the link on Calvary's homepage to access it.

 For more information about Wayne’s multi-decade golf camp ministry, check out Facebook’s Remembering Silver Sands Junior Golf Academy site.