On February 18th, 2024, Michael “Mike” Wayne Dollinger, aged 64, passed away in his home in Watford City, North Dakota.

Mike was born on April 14th, 1959 in Bismarck, North Dakota to Wayne and Karmo Dollinger. He was the eldest of his five siblings: Morgan, Megan, Manning, and Marnie.

In 1965, Mike moved with his parents to Oregon, which became his on again off again home while moving to various towns with his mother and father where his Wayne worked for the US Forest Service. Mike eventually settled down in Oregon where he attended high school. While in high school Mike worked at Manning Dairy Farm to save money for college and motorcycles. After a near fatal motorcycle accident Mike gave up the hobby. After high school, Mike attended Mt Hood Community College’s architecture program and upon graduation earned an associate degree in drafting.

In 1982, Mike moved to McKenzie County, North Dakota and became a technician and drafter for the McKenzie County Road Department within the engineer’s office, where he worked for 33 years. His understanding and knowledge of McKenzie County’s infrastructure culminated in his achieving the position of McKenzie County Road Superintendent. In 1982, Mike met Judy Lynn Kromarek (Ralph) and they were married in 1984. Together they had two children, Kyle in 1986, and Jena in 1988. Mike and Judy divorced in November of 1991. Mike never remarried.

Mike’s passions, after McKenzie County’s road system, revolved around hunting, fishing, beekeeping, photography, and watching television. Mike’s favorite fishing holes were Leland and Sather Dams where he liked to chase the panfish. Mike worked as a beekeeper for 6 years and sold the honey he produced to local grocery stores. His photography focused upon the subtle beauty of North Dakota.

He is preceded in death by his father Wayne Clarence Dollinger. He is survived by his mother Karmo Jean Dollinger (Ritter); his siblings Morgan, Megan, Manning, and Marnie Dollinger; his children Kyle Dollinger and Jena Dollinger; his son in law Timothy Hoffman Sr.; and his grandchildren Braiden Neiman, John Hoffman, and Timothy Hoffman Jr.