Wayne M. “Dempsey” Worner died April 25, 2025.
Born Dec. 2, 1937, Dempsey was raised in Wahpeton, North Dakota in a blue-collar family. His mother recounted hearing him outside doing chores at age six, muttering, “work, work, work, that’s all I do.” At 18, he married his next-door sweetheart and together they embraced humility, solid values and embodied the power and joy of human connection. If you did not yet know them – you eventually would. Random acts of kindness, pay-it-forward, social-networking, lending a hand, living simply, were his traditions long before those phrases became a part of our cultural lexicon.
Dempsey’s true-life craft was Master Weaver, using his loom to draw in ideas, dreams, hopes, stories, and songs across the lives of all he touched. We watched his beautiful tapestry grow with many thousands of folks creating bands of glorious colors and textures. His quiet spirit and ability to truly listen brought so many together in disparate ways to find common ground for the good. He was ardent about community, encircling educators, consulting clients, schoolmates, lake friends, and the underserved across our country. Inclusion was essential – exemplified by his open home and table. He never forgot his roots or those he met along the way, writing newsletters and reflections, organizing reunions and visits, and calls all customary touchstones.
Dempsey’s education journey began in 1955 at NDSU, completing a Doctorate in Education in 1966 at UND. He proudly served as teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent of schools in North Dakota before moving to Virginia where he was invited to share in creating the new Virginia Tech College of Education as the first division chair in Curriculum & Instruction. He held several pivotal positions, but especially treasured hands-on advising 125 doctoral and 75 principal preparation students, before rising to the Dean of the College culminating in a Dean Emeritus designation.
With a simple needle, and one measured stitch at a time, he tailored a legacy of timeless family traditions, and strong values to ground us in our roots and bind us to each other forever. We marvel at the seams built for strength – yet they forgive; the brilliant embellishments attached for pure joy; and the tufts of padding given for comfort. He taught us to meet people where they are with grace, from the fabric of love, true care, and warmth.
Passionate enacting of his own stories; coloring characters from his voluminous joke catalog; singing with a velvety voice; dancing; knowing winks; park swinging; pond duty; fishing; flowcharting; and advice sessions are beloved memories embedded into the weft and weave of our foundation. He was a true and good man and our shining Northern Star when we were lost. Yet, we can still reach down, feel the knot, and trace our way back through the glittering strands interspersing each family flower in his masterwork, and his threads will carry us home.
Clifford, Pauline and Linda Worner (father, mother, sister) will greet Dempsey in Heaven. Remaining here are Kathie, his beloved bride of 68 years; two brothers Michael and Roger Worner; son Scott (Nancy); daughters Becky (Jebb) and Tami (Zane); grandchildren (spouses w/great-grandchildren) Hillary (Trey w/Adam, Heath, Violet), Hundley (Kristine w/Liam, Brooke); Brandon, Tarenne (Chris w/Bella, CJ, Liam), Samantha (Ryan w/Jaedyn, Kaden), Tessa (w/Creed), Melanie (w/Scottie, Eliza); Forrest, Becca (Casper w/Emory, Ellis) and Stacey (w/Paisley).
He counseled us to be nice to others on our upward climb – knowing we will meet them again on a downslide, a reminder to stay humble and kind, as any foothold is an uncertain gift. Dempsey Worner – Your final climb and fine work are complete, rest assured we will take up your loom and needle. There’s a better home awaiting in the sky, Lord, in the sky… Fly high, we’ll join you in the wink of an eye.
In the spirit of giving, instead of flowers please consider contributing, in his name Dempsey (Wayne) Worner to: Wahpeton High School Alumni Endowment, North Dakota State College of Science, 800 North Sixth St., Wahpeton, North Dakota 58076, or to the Virginia Tech Wayne (Dempsey) Worner Scholarship Fund, University Gateway Center (0336), 902 Prices Fork Rd., Blacksburg, VA 24061, or simply pay-it-forward.
A life celebration in Virginia will be held Sunday, May 25, 2025, 1 – 5 p.m., at the Worner home, Blacksburg, VA 24060 (for updated information, return to Dempsey’s McCoy Funeral Home page https://www.mccoyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/dempsey-wayne-worner/#!/TributeWall).
A Minnesota life celebration will be planned later.
