Wayne C. Collingham

Wayne C. Collingham passed away peacefully at home Monday, October 21, 2024. Mass of Christian burial will be held Monday, October 28, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Gerald Catholic Church, 9602 Q Street, Omaha, NE. The family will receive friends one hour prior to mass. A service for the interment of ashes will take place Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, 6800 S. 14th Street, Lincoln, NE. In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials are suggested to the family. Wayne was born in Holdrege, Nebraska on September 8, 1946 to Homer C. and Beulah (Hablizel) Collingham. Several years later, the family moved to York, Nebraska when his parents secured jobs in that area. While Wayne was still in grade school, Homer found work in Lincoln and moved the family there after finding a house for them. After graduating from Lincoln High School in 1965, Wayne enlisted in the United States Army Reserves in December of 1965. In 1971, he met Dette Cudabeck and they married on February 24, 1973. They made their home in Lincoln and two children were born to this marriage, daughter, Virginia Mentgen, and son, Wayne Collingham, Jr. Dette and Wayne grew apart over the years and in 1988 they divorced. Wayne met Donna Hansen in 1995 and their friendship and love developed through their mutual love of dancing. They married on January 8, 2005 making their home in Omaha. Over the years they dated, and continuing through their marriage, Wayne became a dearly loved dad and grandpa to Donna’s daughters and grandchildren. Wayne received an honorable discharge in September of 1974 and worked at several jobs over the years, including his father’s construction business, before going to work for Lincoln Electric System (LES). He was a lineman with LES for over 40 years and it was there he earned the nickname “Smoke”. His coworkers gave him this nickname after causing a part to begin smoking one day. He was also a proud member of Electrical Workers Union Local 1536. He retired from LES in 2011. Wayne enjoyed simple pleasures such as deer hunting, going to the boats to play the slot machines, chocolate, Pepsi, and in later years, Diet Coke. He enjoyed going back to the York and McCool Junction area to hunt deer every year with his cousins and was accomplished at hunting with rifles, black powder rifles (muzzleloaders), and bow and arrow. Being a man of simple pleasures, one of Wayne’s last requests was that family and friends attending his services be comfortable by wearing jeans, t-shirts, and if the temperature was cool, flannel shirts. He will be remembered by all for his loving kindness, calm composure, and quiet mischievousness. He is survived by: Wife, Donna Hansen of Omaha Sister and Brother-in-law Mary Tupper and Merlin of Glenwood, IA Sister and Brother-in-law Audrey Priefert and Gene of Beatrice, NE Brother Dan Collingham of Lincoln, NE Daughter Virginia Mentgen of Lincoln, NE Son Wayne Collingham, Jr. of Lincoln, NE Stepdaughter Shari Rosno of Cozad, NE Stepdaughter Teri Swift of Valley, NE Stepdaughter and Son-in-law Tracy Hansen and Josh Keuter of Omaha, NE Grandchildren Marissa Mentgen and fiance Eric Burkey, Kya Mentgen, Zander Fischer, Andrew Rosno, James (Tina) Hansen, Justin (Megan) Hansen, Alicia Fischer, Abby Keuter, and Sophie Keuter Wayne was preceded in death by: Parents Homer and Beulah Collingham Braman Mortuary & Cremation Services 6505 S. 144th St. Omaha, NE 68137 / 402-895-3400