![]() His first year he was stationed at Fort Jackson, SC as a Platoon Sergeant and in 1951 he transferred to Fort Bragg, NC for a month long intense training before deployment - preparing him to survive the toughest physical and mental conditions of war. ![]() Wayne proudly served in the United States Army from 1950-1960. Wayne and Ila went on to have four daughters - Karen, Linda, Connie “aka Sam” and Sherri. Wayne proposed to Ila before he left for the Korean War and when he returned from serving they married on the 27th day of February 1953 at the Methodist Church in Mitchell, SD. ![]() Wayne was smitten with Ila and offered her a lemon drop, and although she didn’t like them, she too was smitten with him and accepted the lemon drop - the rest was history. Wayne met the love of his life, Ila, at age 15, while at the movies with his brother. Before completing high school, he graciously left to work as a general farm hand for his uncle Leonard, helping his family make ends meet before he bravely enlisted in the service in 1950. He attended Mitchell High School where he was an active football, baseball and basketball player. He and his brothers and sisters were raised on a small farm South of Mitchell. Wayne was born in Mitchell, SD to Harold and Marie (Goldammer) Uptagrafft on January 21st 1932. Wayne Ralph Uptagrafft “Upty”, age 91, of Rochester, passed away at peace on July 5th 2023, fighting to be reunited with the love of his life, Ila Mae. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |