Wayne C. Otterness, 89, of Bismarck, passed away on August 1, 2026.

A funeral service will be held at 11am, on Friday, August 7, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 502 N 4th St, Bismarck, ND. Visitation will begin one hour prior. To view the service livestream, click the link provided~ Wayne. 

Burial will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck.

Wayne Charles Otterness was born March 25, 1937, in Page, ND, to Ole Andrew (Andy) Otterness and Marie Otterness (Jannsen).

Wayne grew up in Page with his parents and his two brothers, John and Gary. He was active in sports — football, basketball, wrestling, and especially baseball. During his senior year of high school, Dad struck out Roger Maris, who was recruited by the Yankees the very next day. It was one of Dad's favorite stories to tell.

Wayne married the love of his life, Joann Dunnum, on June 6, 1958. The two lovebirds met in their second-grade Sunday school class. They moved to Fargo, ND, where Wayne earned his Bachelor of Science from North Dakota State University in 1959. From there, they moved to Houston, TX, to start his Master of Arts in Teaching in Mathematics for one summer. They traveled to Chapel Hill, NC, where Wayne finished his Master of Arts in Teaching of Mathematics from the University of North Carolina.

They resided in Hazen, ND, from 1964 to 1974 where Wayne taught high school math, then served as principal, and ultimately as superintendent for Hazen Public Schools. In 1969, Wayne was named "Outstanding Educator of the Year" by the Hazen Jaycees.

They moved to Bismarck, ND, where they found their forever home and raised their five children and a house full of pets. Wayne worked for Westgate, Inc. for two years as the office manager. In 1977, Wayne was hired as the Fuel Supply Manager at Basin Electric Power Cooperate where he worked until he retired in 1999. After retirement, showing his love for the church, he served as the custodian at Faith Lutheran Church. Wayne also delivered parts for Factory Motor Parts.

Wayne was the most generous, patient, and loving husband, father, and friend. He enjoyed family, a good game of Pinnacle, woodworking in his garage, attending NDSU football games with his brothers John and Gary, golfing, hunting, and fishing. Most of all, he cherished watching and supporting his grandchildren participate in their sporting events and activities. Wayne was dedicated and active in the church and always volunteered when help was needed.

He was a kind and genuine soul. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. 

Survived by his wife, Joann; his children: Cary Otterness (Billie Jo), and his children Broc (Kristen, Lennon & Jett) and Bailee (Kade & Blake); Beth Peterson (Roy), and her children Wyatt (Alex & Virginia), Bekah (Mike & Porter), and Waylon (Hope); Mark Otterness (Jessica), and his children Kendra (Mariah), Mikayla (Thane), Kaden, Kristian, Alyssa, Mark, Matthew, Seth, and Davina; Jen Henriksen (Jeremy) and her children Logan & Bennet; and Becky Mercer (Geoff) and her children Tommy & Charley.

Preceded in death by: his parents, Ole (Andy) and Marie Otterness; his in-laws, DeVerne (Doc) and Edith Dunnum; his grandsons Caleb Emil and Owen Mercer, and his sister-in-law Debbie Frankenfield.