Frank "Dwayne" Jenik

Dec 7, 1938 — Aug 19, 2026

Fort Collins, Colorado -- Formerly of Colby, Kansas

Frank "Dwayne" Jenik. Photo courtesy of Baalmann Mortuary and Crematory

Frank “Dwayne” Jenik, 87, of Fort Collins, Colorado, formerly of Colby, Kansas, died Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

He was born December 7, 1938, in Colby, Kansas, to Frank and Phillippina (Oelke) Jenik.

Dwayne married Norma Hines on August 8, 1958, shortly before receiving his first assignment with the United States Air Force. Dwayne had a deep love for his country and demonstrated his dedication to the United States through a distinguished 20-year career in the U.S. Air Force. He served in security and military police duties and attained the rank of Technical Sergeant (E-6). Norma and their children accompanied him throughout his military career, making a home together wherever his service took them. His duty stations included Roswell, New Mexico; Aguadilla, Puerto Rico; Salina, Kansas; Wakkanai, Japan; Hof, Germany; Fairbanks, Alaska; Omaha, Nebraska; Goose Bay, Canada; and Gwinn, Michigan. Dwayne retired from the Air Force in 1978 after 20 years of dedicated service to his country.

Following his retirement from the Air Force, Dwayne and Norma lived in Fort Collins, Colorado, for 18 years. During this time, Dwayne worked in territorial sales, traveling throughout a regional territory selling cleaning products for his customers. They later lived in Waldron, Arkansas, for four years before returning to Colby, Kansas, in 2001. After Norma’s passing in 2015, Dwayne returned to Fort Collins to live with his daughter and son-in-law, Sheryl and Ken Carter.

Throughout his life, Dwayne enjoyed spending time outdoors. He took great pride in gardening and especially loved fishing, a pastime that brought him countless hours of enjoyment over the years. Dwayne approached fishing with a simple philosophy that those who knew him will remember well: “A bad day fishing is better than a good day working.”

Dwayne was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Phillippina Jenik; his beloved wife, Norma; his sister, Nancy Jenik; and his brother, Lloyd Jenik.

Dwayne is survived by his daughter, Sheila Crouch and her husband, Bryan, and her children, Eric Kroth, Joseph Gauthier, Richard Gauthier, Nicolas Gauthier, and Jason Crouch; his son, James Jenik and his wife, Misty, and his children, Christopher Jenik, Del Jenik, Marissa Grover, Alexis Royal, and Brianna Garcia; and his daughter, Sheryl Carter and her husband, Ken, and her children, Ray Perrin and Kenney Yunker. Dwayne is survived by twelve grandchildren in all. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Mila Perrin, daughter of Ray Perrin, and Alex Kroth, son of Eric Kroth.

The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 28, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 206 E. 7th St., Oakley, Kansas, with burial to follow at Oakley City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Oakley, Kansas, and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, P.O. Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or to leave condolences, visit Baalmann Mortuary.