Dwight Mollenkamp, 70, of Garden Plain, passed away on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, surrounded by family.

Dwight was born on June 29, 1953, in Ransom, Kan. He was the second of three children born to Gayle and Marilyn Mollenkamp.

Dwight grew up at the family ranch southwest of Russell Springs. In 1975 he was married to Elizabeth Randall and to this union he was blessed with two children, Jacki and David. In 1986, he married Ronda Fitzpatrick. Seven-year-old Doyle officially joined the family by adoption in 2002.

Dwight was a diesel mechanic by trade. A job at Koch Industries brought Dwight to the Wichita area. Later he worked for Pepsi Cola and Chris Truckline. He also worked for Sumner Township and then began working for the City of Viola as the utility operator. He finished his career at the City of Garden Plain as the gas systems operator and supervisor.

Dwight participated in several volunteer activities, working as a Sedgwick County Sheriff Reserve and with the Viola Fire Department.

In 1997, Dwight and Ronda opened their home for foster care, usually caring for four boys at a time. In 2013, Dwight and Ronda moved from their home in Viola to Garden Plain, where they currently reside.

Above anything else, Dwight loved his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gayle and Marilyn, and in-laws, Leonard and Rachel Anton.

Dwight is survived by wife, Ronda Lee Mollenkamp; children, Jacki, David, and Doyle (Skylar); grandchildren, Nathaniel Vince Pierson, Tori Mae Pierson, and Bryce David Pierson; great-grandchildren, Dwight Aaron Scott McKee and Zoie Ray Nikkle; sister, Lori (Keith) Edwards; brother, Mark (Roxanne) Mollenkamp; step-mother, Judy Mollenkamp; sisters-in-law, Tina (Chris) Forest, Linda (Randy) Rausch, Theresa (John) Graham, Tonja (Wade) Harrison; brothers-in-law, Tim (Marsha) Fitzpatrick and Troy (Elizabeth) Fitzpatrick; and was blessed with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Downing & Lahey West Mortuary, 10515 W. Maple, Wichita.

A memorial has been established with Heartland Home Care and Hospice, 2872 N. Ridge Rd. #122, Wichita, KS 67205.