Dennis Olejniczak, age 86, of Decorah, Iowa passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home in Decorah. He lived with a passion for all that he touched. Faith, Family and Servant Leadership. Dennis’ legacy, “empowering people to achieve their fullest potential thru coaching and encouragement.”

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 2, 2026, at First Lutheran Church, 604 W Broadway Street, Decorah, Iowa with Pastor Mike Wilker presiding. Private burial will be at the Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah.

Funeral service will be livestreamed: https://youtube.com/live/HtFW7mNCrcU (We are aware there is no sound. The funeral home is not responsible for the livestream; however, the church responsible has been contacted and is aware of and working on the issue. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.)

A Celebration of Life will be held immediately after the service from 1:00-6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 2, 2026, please join the family at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds Community Building, 900 E Main Street, Decorah, Iowa. Fellowship for all to share your memories expanding over eight decades. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may go to the family at 1425 Wicklow Dr. Robins, IA 52328. The family will make donations to First Lutheran Church, Winneshiek County Hospice and care for Olejniczak baseball field at the Decorah High School.

On 24 November 1939, Dennis was born to Ed and Martha Olejniczak in Tripoli, IA. He was the second of three children. Dennis had two sisters: Marilyn Schult and Frances White. As a youth, Dennis was an active member of his community. In addition to his life-long passion for athletics, Dennis was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and Boy Scouts of America. He played four years of varsity football, basketball and baseball. He was Senior Class President and graduated from Tripoli High School in 1957.

Dennis studied and graduated from Iowa State Teachers College (UNI) in 1961 earning a Bachelors Degree in Education. He was a member of Phi Sigma Epsilon Fraternity. At ISTC he was a two sport athlete. During his freshman year, he experienced an injury ending his football playing days. He continued playing baseball. While attending school, he and the love of his life, Paula DeBerg were married in 1960. After graduation, Dennis and Paula moved to Janesville, IA for his first teaching opportunity. He also coached football, girls’ basketball, track and baseball. In 1963, Dennis and Paula moved their family north to Decorah. He accepted a job at Decorah Community Schools as a Business Ed Teacher. He later transitioned to the lead in the Physical Education department where he finished out his teaching career in 2002. Dennis began his Decorah coaching career as an assistant coach for football and basketball, and head baseball coach. Two of Coach’s philosophies, “Have a Purpose and Do It Our Way” remained relevant for success both on and off the field for over six decades. During his tenure, the Vikings achieved a 72.9 winning percentage; winning 1,417 games (second in the nation at the time of Dennis’ retirement), 11 State Tournament appearances including 3 State Championships (1970, 1990, 1991), 3 State Runner-up (1989, 1992, 2012) and 24 Conference Championships. Dennis started developing his future high school players as early as 8-years old when they played ball through the Decorah Little League program. He led that program for 35 years. Dennis is a member of the Tripoli HOF and

was inducted into the Iowa HS HOF in 1983. He earned the National Baseball Coach of the Year award in 2009 and in 2019 was awarded the Iowa HSBCA Presidential Award. Dennis shared with many, ‘none of this would have been achievable without the players, teams win the games; not me. In addition, my assistant coach Paula played a significant role. She not only kept the book, she was the bench mom. Along with being Decorah’s Skipper for 55 years, Dennis, was the football’s lead assistant coach and offensive coordinator from 1964-1990 when Decorah won 5 state championships. From 1994-1999, Dennis was the co-head coach, guiding the team to a state runner-up finish in 1994.

Dennis and Paula have five children: Lon (Kristen), Lesly, Heidi (Bob), Jason (Tiffany), Elle. They were blessed with nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. Dennis actively “coached” his grandchildren throughout their childhood years: Samantha Walter (Andrew) and Brodrick Bornmann (Caitlin), Gabrielle and Jake Olejniczak, Emma, Kaleb and Lydia Olejniczak, Greer and Matteo Moran. Shortly before his passing his great-grandson Zak Paul Walter was born.

Dennis is preceded in death by his wife and partner-in-life Paula, Parents Ed and Martha, Sister Marilyn.

Dennis’ family extends a special thank you to the medical community and caretakers: the Arlin Falck Assisted Living and Eastern Star Nursing Home care providers, WinnMed Medical Community and WCMH Home Health and Hospice for their daily unselfish devotion to his care, their teamwork, and love. With them, Dennis lived safely and peacefully.