Legendary Northeast Iowa High School Baseball Coach Passes Away
A northeast Iowa high school baseball coaching legend has passed away.
Dennis Olejniczak led the Decorah High School baseball program for over 50 years, winning state titles in 1970, 1990, and 1991. His Vikings teams finished as state runners-up in 1989, 1992, and 2012. After one year at Janesville, Olejniczak spent the rest of his coaching career in Decorah and amassed a career total of 1417 wins.
He retired after the 2018 season, winning the Northeast Iowa Conference that year, his 19th title with the Vikings.
Olejniczak was a founding member of the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association and was inducted into the IHSBCA Hall of Fame in 1983.
Olejniczak also served as co-head coach for Decorah football from 1994 to 1999, with three playoff appearances and state runner-up in 1997.
He passed away on Saturday (01.24) at the age of 86 at Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home in Decorah.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 2, 2026, at First Lutheran Church, 604 W Broadway Street, Decorah. Private burial will be at the Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah.
Celebration of Life will be held after the service from 1:00-6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 2, 2026, at the Winneshiek County fairgrounds community building.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may go to the family at 1425 Wicklow Dr. Robins, IA 52328. The family will make donations to First Lutheran Church, Winneshiek County Hospice and care for Olejniczak baseball field at the Decorah High School.
