Dr. Willis “Will” Wiseman

OMAHA — Dr. Willis “Will” L. Wiseman, M.D., was born Oct. 12, 1942, in Omaha, the only son of Glenn and Audrey (Reinhardt) Wiseman. He died Feb. 4, 2019, in Lincoln, surrounded by family.

A Celebration of Life will be 2 p.m., March 9, at the Beaumont Event and Concert Hall, Wayne.

Arrangements are under the direction of Haseman Funeral Home, Wayne.

Dr. Wiseman grew up in North Platte, working in his parents’ three restaurants and delivering the Omaha World Herald. He began his professional education at Stanford University and

received his bachelor’s degree from Kearney State College. He earned his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical School. He also served as a medical officer in the U.S. Army Reserves. He began his medical practice in Torrington, Wyo., and moved it to Wayne in 1975. He transformed his single-doctor practice into a five-doctor, two-physician-assistant clinic with three satellite offices. The innovative satellite office concept pioneered by Will began with the creation of Wisner Clinic in 1979, with clinics in Laurel and Wakefield following. The concept was recognized as the first-of-its-kind in Nebraska and defined an “umbrella” of health care coverage in the region. The success of the concept has become a model for other medical facilities across the state.

Will was further recognized for initiating Wayne’s first active doctor recruitment program in 1978. That effort resulted in the recruitment and hiring of several present-day physicians cementing Wayne as a leading center for medical services. He is credited with creating one of the first physical fitness centers to be used in conjunction with physical therapy and wellness programs. Under his direction, the Providence Fitness Center was founded in 1979 and continues to be the prototype for new physical therapy facilities.

Will gave freely of his time, serving for many years on the Wayne City Council and was named Citizen of the Year in 1995. He was heavily involved in community organizations serving on the Cornhusker Shrine Club, Wayne Kiwanis Club, former President of Wayne Industries Board of Directors, Providence Medical Center Foundation Board of Directors, Greenwood Cemetery Board, Order of the Eastern Star Masonic Lodge, and many others. He was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Wayne.

Will had many interests and hobbies. Early in his life he earned his pilot’s license and hiked Pike’s Peak. He had a love of carpentry, woodworking, and especially the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman throughout his entire life. These passions he thoroughly enjoyed teaching and sharing with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed horse-packing into the mountains, riding motorcycles, especially with friends, and hosting get-togethers where he was cooking for all. He loved Husker football and watching those games was the only time he would sit still. He loved and cherished his dogs and spending time at his land and cabin by the river

(a.k.a. the Deer Garden). After retiring, he also became an accomplished wood carver. His greatest loves were his wife, his large blended family, especially his grandchildren, and his long list of cherished friends.

Will married Mardelle (Blattert) Salmon July 7, 1984, in Wayne and raised their blended family of eight children.

He is survived by his wife, Mardelle; children, Chris (Keri) Wiseman, Alvo; Dan (Cheryll) Wiseman, Minneapolis, Minn.; Erik (Katie) Wiseman, Brookings, S.D.; Anne Wiseman (Brian Pedurand), Sioux Falls, S.D.; Jennifer (Robert) Hurley, Lincoln; Elliot Salmon, Kettering, Ohio; Nathan Salmon, Lincoln; and Alex (Kristin) Salmon, Wayne; grandchildren, Savannah, Wesley and Regan Wiseman; Laura and Jonathan Wiseman; Jack, June, Max, and Violet Wiseman; Madison Pedurand; aKate, and Nicholas Gorski; and Evie Salmon.

Will was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Audrey Wiseman; and father and mother-in-law, Lawrence and Irene Blattert.

Memorials may be directed to the Wiseman Family for later designation.