Wayne Bernard Dondelinger

Wayne Bernard Dondelinger, 89, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on June 1st, 2026, in his home on Lake Movil north of Bemidji, Minnesota. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am, Tuesday June 9th, 2026  at St. Philip’s Catholic Church Bemidji. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Bemidji. In lieu of flowers, we kindly request donations be made to St. Philip’s School or the Boys and Girls Club.

Wayne was born on February 8th, 1937, in Brainerd, Minnesota, to Arthur and Esther Dondelinger. Wayne and his siblings— Marilyn, Carol, Robert, Roger, and Mary Helen—created many memories in Brainerd and at their cabins on Round Lake and Gull Lake. He married Carolyn (Struthers) Dondelinger on August 24th, 1963, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd, beginning a life of adventure together. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Denver, Colorado, where Wayne studied hotel management at the University of Denver. It was there he honed his sense of hospitality and his gift for making those around him feel loved. Following graduation, his career took them to Boston, Cleveland, and Omaha before returning west. Wayne and his sister, Carol, purchased a Ramada Inn in Colorado Springs, where he delighted in hosting and engaging with guests.

Wayne and Carolyn welcomed 3 children, Julie, Tim, and Linda, into their family during this time. The family had a brief stop in Steamboat Springs, Colorado before returning to Minnesota. In 1974, Wayne took the opportunity to purchase the Dibble Chevrolet dealership in Bemidji. Through his courage and determination, he built a successful life that allowed his family to travel, learn, and prosper.

Wayne deeply valued family, faith, education, and adventure. He took immense joy in watching his family grow and was a devoted member of his community. His commitment to service was evident through his work on the St. Philip’s School Board and the Building Committee for the new church, and he was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and the Rotary Club. Furthermore, Wayne was a generous supporter of several local charities, including the Boys and Girls Club, Courage North, the Battered Women’s Shelter, Bemidji State University Foundation and Sanford Health Foundation.

Wayne and Carolyn continued to explore the world together, with South Africa being his favorite destination. He lived life to the fullest and encouraged his children and grandchildren to do the same, whether he was teaching them to ski or playing cards after Sunday night dinners. He shared with the world his infectious smile and his love of laughter, music, and dancing. His love for life endeared him to both friends and strangers alike. Wayne will be deeply missed, and his memory will continue to live on in all who were lucky enough to know him.

Wayne is survived by his children Julie (Tom) Halberg, Tim (Susan) Dondelinger and Linda (Scott Pigg) Dondelinger-Pigg, 10 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, his brother Robert Dondelinger and his sister Mary Helen Sandoval.

He was preceded in death by his father, Arthur Dondelinger, his mother, Esther Dondelinger, his wife, Carolyn Dondelinger, his sisters, Carol McKinley and Marilyn Beck, and his brother, Roger Dondelinger.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Wayne Bernard Dondelinger, please visit our floral store.