George Michael Dendinger, age 83, Bismarck, died on July 2, 2024, due to natural causes. He was born to Arthur and Evelyn (Werner) Dendinger on April 12, 1941, in Minot, North Dakota. A memorial service will be held July 25, 2024, at 1:00pm at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Bismarck.
George graduated from Minot High School and attended State Teachers College (Minot State University) graduating in 1963 with a degree in Mathematics and Physics. His first teaching position was in Underwood, North Dakota. He married Betty Eslinger in May of 1964. They moved to Texarkana, Texas in 1966 where he was enrolled in Maintenance Administration at Red River Army Depot. They moved back to Fargo in 1967 to pursue George’s Masters in School Administration from NDSU. They returned to Underwood where he served two years as Superintendent. He became Principal at Oakes High School in 1970. He also assisted his wife in the operation of the Oakes Café. They moved to Garrison in 1979 where they owned and operated the Dairy Queen Café until the fall of 1981. He taught science at Garrison High School for one year, before becoming Principal of Bob Callies Elementary in Garrison until May 1984. He was offered the position of Principal of Rugby High School in Rugby where they moved to and resided for the next 28 years. He was the Athletic Director at Rugby for several years. He retired in 1997 after 34 years in education. He worked for a time at Hardware Hank and managed the Rugby Golf Club for 2 seasons. He returned to the high school tutoring until his stroke in December 2009. In August of 2012 they moved to Hillsboro, Oregon to be near their son and family, returning to Bismarck in November of 2017.
George was the recipient of many awards and plaques. He was a Phi Delta Kappa member for 15 years. He was named the 1969 Outstanding Young Educator by the Underwood Jaycees. He was a member of the Texarkana Jaycees. He was an honorary Chapter FFA member in Oakes and Rugby. He served as Charter President when the Lions Club was formed in Garrison and then continuing his membership in Rugby. He was a member of the Garrison and Rugby Volunteer Fire Departments and is a lifetime member of the state association. He served on the church council in Garrison and Rugby; served on the park, library, and golf club boards in Rugby; served on the North Central Accreditation Board for 7 years (serving as President for 2 years); was a member of the North Dakota Association of Secondary Principals (serving as President for 1 year.) He was recognized for 20 years of officiating North Dakota high school athletic events. He was a member of the Lord of Life Lutheran church, Bismarck.
He was a kind and patient man, always willing to lend a hand, give his students the benefit of the doubt, and was a loving father, husband, and grandfather. He enjoyed traveling with Betty and using their timeshares, seeing different parts of the country. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, and all sports. He was active in his younger years playing competitive fastpitch softball.
He is survived by his son, Brad (Mona) of Redmond, Oregon; granddaughters Meghan Dendinger (Hillsboro, OR), Maria (Derek) Corneillie of Horace, ND; Olivia Dendinger (Hillsboro, OR); daughter, Kim (Dion) Klein of Bismarck, ND; granddaughter Gabriela (Rachel) Mazzotti of Colorado Springs, CO; brother, Jack (Clare) Dendinger of Roseville, CA; sister-in-law, Sharon Eslinger, and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Betty, and his parents.