Wayne C. Leiner

Wayne C. Leiner, a loving father, grandfather and devoted husband, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2025, in Watertown, South Dakota, at the age of 89. He died after 3 years of declining health and dementia at the Village at Harmony Hills, Memory Care Unit.

Wayne was born on November 10, 1936, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He had a long career in banking, starting as an auditor at Norwest Bank in Minneapolis and moving to Great Falls, Montana in 1966 with Norwest, and in 1978 to Fargo, ND to Dakota Bank. He and first wife Marilyn relocated to Watertown, SD in 1987, where he was instrumental in rechartering the First Federal Savings and Loan to Dacotah Bank, retiring in 1991 as Executive Vice President. Wayne served in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1954-1962. He loved golfing and traveling; he particularly enjoyed ocean and river cruising with family and friends. Wayne sang in a barbershop group in Watertown. He took pride in do-it-yourself projects and had many carpentry, electrical, and plumbing skills. Wayne was a lifelong and rabid fan of both the Minnesota Twins and University of Minnesota Gophers. He was a kind, generous man with a great sense of humor. His laugh was infectious. Even in his last days, he continuously thanked family, friends and caregivers for their care and simply being with him.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Carol (Pollard) Leiner and his brother, Tom Leiner. Wayne was a cherished father and father-in-law to Wendy (John) St. Peter & James (Vonda) Leiner, and step-father to Mike (Marcy) Pollard, Catherine (Matt) Connor & Steve (Maureen) Pollard. He was a proud grandfather to Jennifer (Dan) Stong and Adam (Sarah) St. Peter, as well as 7 special step-grandchildren and a step-great-grandchild.

Wayne was preceded in death by his first wife, Marilyn (Bunkowske) Leiner, parents Clem and Martha (Bren) Leiner and his brother, Gene Leiner.

A memorial service will be announced in the future.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Village at Harmony Hill (villagewaterown.org).

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown and Hayti

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