Wayne Ivan Dinkelman

1945 - 2026

Wayne Ivan Dinkelman

November 20, 1945 - February 17, 2026

Wayne Ivan Dinkelman, age 80, of Grand Island, NE, went to his forever home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

Gathering of friends and family will be held on Sunday, February 22nd from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church Life Center. Celebration of life services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, February 23rd at Peace Lutheran Church Life Center. Rev. Justin Bangert and Rev. Carl Eliason will officiate. Military Honors will be provided by the U.S. Army and United Veterans Honor Guard. Livestreaming will be available at Peace Lutheran Celebration of life-Grand Island Facebook. Burial of ashes will be at 2 p.m. at St. John's Cemetery south of Waco.

All Faiths Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. Memorials are suggested to Peace Lutheran Church.

Jesus said "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you." John 14:2

Wayne was born on November 20, 1945, in York, NE, to Otto and Laura (Wiese) Dinkelman. He grew up on a farm south of Waco, NE, along with his sister, Delores. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church south of Waco.

He attended St. John's Elementary School. Wayne graduated from Waco High School in 1964. After high school, he enlisted in the Army and served his country proudly. After his military service, Wayne completed his bachelor's degree at Concordia Teachers College in Seward, NE. Wayne met his future wife, Lorry, there. They were married on May 1, 1970, and celebrated 55 years together. To this union, two sons were born, Brian and Jeff.

Wayne began his working career as a teacher at First Trinity/Immanuel School west of Beatrice. He then worked at Walker Manufacturing which became Tenneco Automotive where he was employed for 32 years. After his retirement, Wayne and Lorry moved to Grand Island, NE to be closer to and spend more time with family.

Wayne was a quiet, kind man of faith, and sharing his faith was very important to him. He shared his faith in Jesus with his family, friends and strangers. He demonstrated his faith by worshipping weekly, reading his Bible daily, volunteering, serving at his church and by visiting the veteran's homes in Grand Island and Kearney with Eddie the comfort dog and his friend, Jerry Schenck. Wayne was proud to be a handler for Eddie and used Eddie as a "bridge" to share Jesus with others. Wayne had a love for nature, and whether it was hunting or fishing or boating with his children and grandchildren, he enjoyed the beauty of God's creation and the time and memories he made were priceless to him. His family was one of the great joys in his life. And the love and pride he felt for his grandchildren was a blessing he never took for granted and thanked God for it.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Lorry (Temenak) Dinkelman; sons, Brian (Jennifer) Dinkelman of Grand Island, and Jeff Dinkelman of Grand Island; four grandchildren, Avah Beiswenger, Samuel, Rebecca, and Abigail Dinkelman; sister, Delores Kessinger; numerous nieces' families, cousins and extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents; brother-in-law, Kenneth Kessinger; sisters-in-law, Mary Temenak and Susan Remus; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Robert and June Schoder.