Dwayne Harry Jelinek

Dwayne Jelinek quietly died in the early hours of July 25, 2007, in the company of his wife, Janet.

Dwayne was born on the family farm in Crete, Neb., on July 31, 1942. He was the only son of Harry Frank and Ludmilla Kucera Jelinek. His youth was spent in Crete and Omaha, Neb., where he graduated from Benson High in 1960. Dwayne then graduated from Princeton University in 1964 and proceeded to have the experience of a lifetime when he joined the Peace Corps and spent two years in Peru, where he worked in a variety of projects. While in Peace Corps training, he met another volunteer, Janet Hinckley, who became his wife on Dec. 30, 1966.

Upon returning from the Peace Corps, Dwayne enrolled in the Harvard School of Business, where he received his MBA in 1968. Dwayne continued his interest in foreign travel by joining the consulting firm, Louis Berger. While employed there, he and his wife traveled to Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil and Thailand.

Returning to the states, Dwayne moved to Denver, where he and several partners set up the consulting firm, Mountain West Research, Inc. Eventually, the firm opened a Billings office and the family, consisting of son, Erik Paul, and daughter, Kristi Elizabeth, moved to Billings for a few years. A few years turned into many, and Dwayne worked on several exciting projects, eventually working with WCS Telecom.

Dwayne enjoyed camping and being out of doors with his children. He loved being room mother and coaching soccer and softball. He was an avid follower of Princeton softball and the Nebraska Huskers. He also enjoyed gardening with his neighbor and pal, Hank Stevens.

Dwayne is survived by his wife, Janet Susan; his son, Erik Paul, wife Jennifer, granddaughter, Sierra; and his daughter, Kristi Elizabeth, husband Gilberto Montas, granddaughters, Krystal and Kyrsten. He will also be missed by his good friends, Per Wickstrom, his wife Elaine, and many good friends, cousins and in-laws.
Those who wish may plant a tree to remember him by or make a donation to the Arbor Day Foundation.

Visitation will be at Dahl Funeral Chapel on Sunday, July 29, from 1 to 5 p.m. A gathering of family and friends is planned in Billings at Dahl's on Monday, July 30, at 4 p.m., with a reception to follow. Burial will be in Crete.

The family extends many thanks to Big Sky Hospice, Horizon Home and the St. Vincent Out-Patient Rehabilitation Dream Team.

Published in the Billings Gazette on 7/27/2007.

(submitted by Michael R. Wolfson 7/27/07)