June 18, 1940 - September 5, 2024
In loving memory ~
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Wayne Farenholtz on September 5th, 2024. Wayne was born on June 18, 1940, his parents were Pearl and Fritz Farenholtz. Born and raised in Nelson, Wayne spent many hours sharing tales with family and friends of his adventures growing up with his sister Linda and his brother Mel.
After graduating from LV Rogers High School, Wayne attended College at Michigan Tech on a hockey scholarship. He returned to Nelson, and met the love of his life, Sharon Farenholtz (Fisher) and they were married on June 17, 1961.
Always community minded, Wayne played first base for the Nelson Baseball team, was Assistant Trainer for the Nelson Maple Leafs Senior Hockey team, as well as serving as President of the Nelson Maple Leafs. Wayne also had a passion for curling, and he curled at a high level, even scoring an eight ender in 1969, served as President of the Nelson Curling Club, and was highly involved in the Nelson Midsummer Bonspiel.
Wayne was also an incredibly innovative and successful entrepreneur. He worked with his father in the logging and mining equipment business until venturing into his own business, KMC Kootrac. Wayne purchased the manufacturing, sales distribution and patents of the FMC Skidder. With the purchase of FMC's patents and a large inventory of FMC's designs and parts, Wayne's company, KMC-Kootrac, became innovators as manufacturers of specialized track equipment to be used in difficult terrain for specialized logging, mining, and fire-fighting demands. This equipment has been sold globally and is a credit to Wayne's incredible ingenuity and innovation at the helm of KMC-Kootrac. Wayne, and KMC- Kootrac, have left a permanent footprint in the industry.
Wayne was a loving father, role model, and friend, to sons, Darren (Michele) and Robert (Sayle). He was also a devoted Grandfather to Sheldon and Justin and Great-Grandfather to Oakland. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. To allow for travel, a Celebration of Life will be held in spring 2025.
You are near, even if we don't see you,
You are with us, even if you are far away,
You are in our hearts, in our thoughts,
In our life, Always.
For more information and to leave a message of condolence, please see the Thompson Funeral Service website at https://www.thompsonfs.ca