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WAYNE KAY DOLGE – Major USAF, Ret. January 9, 1926 – February 22, 2017 Wayne Kay Dolge, an Evangelical Lutheran and retired USAF Major, passed away peacefully at ninety-one years of age on February 22, 2017. Wayne was born in Garretson, South Dakota on January 9, 1926, to William R. Dolge, a veteran of WWI, whose family immigrated to America from Germany and Ruth Viola Fystro whose family emigrated from Norway. He was the eldest of four children and grew up in rural South Dakota and Minnesota. His early life during the depression was difficult but those hardships helped shape this wonderful man. During his school years, he played basketball, and participated in track and field. Wayne loved his country and enlisted in the Navy on May 3, 1944 during WWII, and served as Fireman First Class from 1944 to 1946 on the USS Wharton sailing the Pacific Ocean carrying cargo and troops in support of the war effort. In 1952, while in the Naval Reserve, he continued his education and completed his college degree. On April 4, 1952, he enlisted in the US Air Force as an Airman Second Class, and was accepted and graduated from Officer Candidate School at Lackland Air Force Base in June 1953. He began his Air Force commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. He served in Japan, Alaska, Hawaii, and England and his family was often able to live with him in these interesting places. While in the military, Wayne received numerous decorations and commendations, organized events for his fellow officers, played softball and bowled. He retired as a Major on May 31, 1970. After retirement from the Air Force, Wayne worked in Civil Service as a Logistics Specialist at Kelly AFB until December of 1988. For sixty-seven years, he was a continuous member of the Round Lake, Minnesota American Legion. Wayne was a Master Mason in Good Standing at Somerset Lodge 1205 where he was a Past Master and Life and Endowed Member, and in 2014, he renewed his three-year proficiency certificate. As a lifelong Mason, he instructed many younger men in their proficiency work for Masonry. Wayne was affiliated with the Scottish Rite and Shriners and assisted with many events over the years. Wayne was kind and loving with a tough exterior. He provided generously for his family and others. Wayne, well known for his wonderful sense of humor, loved to laugh and joke with his family, friends and acquaintances. His greatest enjoyment came from playing and watching golf, which he played well into his 80’s on courses from England to Hawaii. Wayne is survived by his loving wife, Mary Newcomb Dolge, his sister, Beverly Damm and her husband Howard, his daughters Renee Stanley and Kelly Steele, step-son Rick Newcomb and his wife Liz, grandchildren Ashlee Steele, Beth Newcomb and her husband Eric, Augie Frkuska and wife Meghan, Josh Frkuska and wife Yuko, great grandchildren Ken Frkuska, and Logan and Kaeli Newcomb as well as several nieces and nephews. Preceding Wayne in death are his parents, his first wife, Darlene, and his two brothers Robert and William Junior. On Tuesday March 7th there will be a viewing from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00, at Mission Park Funeral Chapel on 3401 Cherry Ridge Drive with the service following immediately. Burial will be at 1:45 p.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Wounded Warrior Project P.O Box 758517 Topeka, Kansas 66675 or Encompass Hospice at 14800 San Pedro Ave. Suite 216 San Antonio, TX 78232.

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Wayne K Dolge

January 9, 1926 - February 22, 2017