Wayne D. Dundee, 77, of Ogallala passed away June 4, 2025, at The Center at CenterPlace in Greeley, CO.
Wayne was born March 24, 1948, in Freeport, IL to Elwood and Charlotte (Smith) Dundee. Wayne attended various schools in the Illinois and Wisconsin area, graduating from Clinton High School in 1966.
Wayne started work with Arnold Engineering in 1966 where he met Pamela Sue Daum and they married on October 29, 1966. Wayne and Pam lived in Tomah, Wisconsin when they had their only child, Michelle Marie (Dundee)Wojczynski 1/14/1968. Wayne worked several jobs as a farm hand and milk truck driver before returning to Arnold Engineering in Marengo, IL while living in Belvidere, IL. Wayne also began to pursue his love of writing during this time, publishing several short stories and starting his own mystery/detective publication, Hardboiled Magazine in 1985. Wayne won a SHAMUS award for Best 1st PI Short Story in 1986 and another for Best PI Short Story in 1987. Wayne published his first book, The Burning Season, which was nominated for Best 1st PI Novel in 1989.
Wayne and his family moved to Ogallala in 1999 when Wayne transferred to Arnold Magnetics in Ogallala to serve as manager, where he retired in 2009. Wayne continued to write books, transitioning from the detective genre to westerns. Wayne has written 43 books, his last book, Diablo Gold, was published in 2025.
Wayne enjoyed the landscape and history of the area, often going for drives to explore the area. Wayne enjoyed telling stories, written and spoken, with one of his favorites talking about the time he wrestled a bear…the bear won. Wayne was a man with a heart of gold, that would do anything for anyone, especially his family. Wayne was a rock for the family and will be dearly missed.
A celebration of life will be held Friday, June 20, 2025, at 2:00 pm in the Draucker Funeral Home Chapel in Ogallala, NE with Rev. Mark Baldwin officiating of the Paxton United Methodist Church of Paxton, Ne.
Wayne is survived by his daughter, Michelle (Ken) Wojczynski of Ogallala, Grandchildren: William Wayne Mau of Ogallala, Emily Sue Cullip of Ogallala and Riley Wayne Thompson of Big Springs. His great-grandchildren: Maribelle Marie Cullip and Bentley Wayne Cullip, both of Ogallala. His sisters: Lorie Dundee, Pam Dundee and Sherry Dundee, all of Wisconsin and one brother, Robert Dundee of Illinois.
Wayne is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Pamela Sue Dundee, parents, Elwood and Charlotte Dundee, stepmom Marje Dundee, sister Lonna Dundee and brother Mike Dundee.
Wayne had a word he liked to live by: Persevere. As we and especially the family adjust to life without him, we will learn to persevere.