Dr. Donald Lee Bryngelson, 80, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on October 27, 2026. He was born on June 24, 1946, in Bismarck, North Dakota, to Richard Bryngelson and Jean Bryngelson (Mc Fadgen). He was one of four children, along with Rich, Alice, and Doug. Their family bond was strong, and they always placed the care and love of family first. He married Jody Bryngelson, and together they had two daughters, Erin and Shauna, whom he loved deeply.

He dedicated his life to educating children. He began his career as a math teacher in Jeffrey City and later served as Superintendent of Schools in Jeffrey City, Pinedale, and Wheatland, Wyoming, as well as Raton, New Mexico. He earned his bachelor's degree from Chadron State College and went on to earn two master's degrees and a Ph.D. in education from the University of Wyoming.

He was passionate about giving children a strong start in their education and helping them build life-long skills that would improve their lives. He also served as head of the Wyoming School Facilities Commission, where he helped build schools for children across the state.

Donald loved Wyoming and enjoyed every aspect of the outdoors, including hunting, fishing, hiking, and small-town life. As a young man, he served in the U.S. Army and later worked as a surveyor, hiking through Wyoming's beautiful terrain. When we once asked whether he would ever leave Wyoming, he replied, “Why would I?” He truly loved his life in Wyoming.

He loved spending time with family and friends. He never said no to a new adventure and always had a gleam in his eye when fun was on the horizon. He had a wonderful sense of humor and preferred to keep life on the lighter side. Everyone who knew him appreciated his quick wit and joy for life.

He never asked for much and was always the first to help whether it was advice, a listening ear, or boots on the ground to fix something. His family was deeply blessed to share his life as a husband and father. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

Donald is survived by his best friend, Jody, of Cheyenne; his daughters, Erin Bryngelson of Sheridan, Wyoming, and Shauna Bryngelson of Broomfield, Colorado; Joe Winter of Colorado; his sister, Alice Feser of Kennewick, Washington, and her children and their spouses, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; and his nephew and niece, Cory and Kim Bryngelson, and their spouses and children.

He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Bryngelson; his mother, Jean Bryngelson; his brothers, Richard and Doug Bryngelson; and his brother-in-law, Rick Feser, whom he loved like a brother.

A private service will be held graveside with the family in the spring.

He was a lifetime member of the Elks and strongly supported the organization's mission of giving back to those in need. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his memory to Friends of Don Bryngelson - 660, Cheyenne Elks Lodge, 100 E. 17th Street, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001.