Wayne P. Moellenberg

Wayne Paul (Dutch) Moellenberg was born August 7 1933 to William Fred Moellenberg and Martha Frieda Emily (Wudtke) Moellenberg in the small farming community of Idalia, Colorado and passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on May 20, 2025 in Fort Collins. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Church of Idalia. At age 12 he became the assistant Sunday School superintendent. This church was always in his heart. One of the last songs he tried to sing was the Little Brown church as this was how he felt about the church in Idalia Wayne grew up on the farm helping his father, mother and uncle raise crops, cattle and various other livestock. He loved animals and riding horses even if that meant the bony back of a mule. Working cattle and horsing around with his cousin Delmar were some of his fondest childhood memories. Dutch grew up in a large extended family that had many family gatherings with all of the cousins. He often shared memories of working cattle or harvesting with all of his uncles. He attended one-room school houses in the area until the new school in Idalia was built. After graduating from high school, he attended UC Boulder where he participated in the marching band and received academic honors. He married Margaret Abraham on August 22, 1954. After graduating he managed his Aunt Anna’s ranch tending the cattle and growing various crops. He did this while also teaching, science, mathematics and social studies as well as coaching basketball, football and baseball , at Armel and Idalia. In 1961 he earned his Master’s Degree at the University of Northern Colorado and was hired to develop and operate a Counseling and Guidance Program for East Yuma County schools. In 1966 he earned his doctorate at UNC and was hired as a Professor at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. There he taught Human Development, Learning and Brain Science in the Department of Educational Foundations at UNM. He became Assistant Dean in the office of Graduate Studies and later promoted to Associate Dean. He received several Outstanding Graduate Professor awards. In 1980 he resigned as Associate Dean of Graduate Studies in order to concentrate on teaching in Ed. Foundations and consulting with the College of Medicine rather than maintain a role in administration. He worked with the UNM Medical School to improve teaching and testing in Pulmonary Medicine. Wayne became a founding member of the UNM CARES (Center for Aging Research, Education and Service) along with three Graduate Advisees from the College of Nursing and two professors from the College of Medicine. He worked diligently with this group to build one of the first independent living complexes for Seniors. It was a 10-story apartment complex with a mix of two-bedroom, one-bedroom and efficiency apartments. In 1990 he retired from UNM and with Margaret they moved to Fort Collins to be closer to their family. This didn’t slow Wayne down as he continued to teach through Aims Community college. He also volunteered with their church, with Pathways Hospice and was on several senior advisory boards for the city as well as an independent privately owned Senior Care facility. Wayne and Margaret also continued to farm and delighted in sharing that experience with their children and grandchildren. Wayne was a devoted son, loving father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Brother and Uncle. He was a mentor to many Graduate students and colleagues and will be missed by generations of friends and family. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Margaret, son Daryl, brother Kenneth and granddaughter Danielle. He will be missed by his daughter Sharyl Haas and her husband Rob. His Daughter in law Marcia Moellenberg. His sister Wilma (Molly) Sumner and her husband Jim. Four Grandchildren and four Great Grandchildren. Memorial Contributions can be made to First Presbyterian Church of Fort Collins, 531 S College Ave Fort Collins , CO 80524 Or St Johns Church of Idalia 28591 County Rd 7 Idalia Co 80735 If you would like to send a private message to the family you can do so at wayneordutch@gmail.com