DEAN, Dexter Witter 1856-1943

DEAN, WITTER, HERSEY, WOODWARD, RIDDLE, CROWELL, LEAR, WOOD

Posted By: Chris Tonn (email)
Date: 3/24/2006 at 19:52:12

Feb 24, 1943

Hold Services For Dexter W. Dean, Pioneer Resident

Funeral services for Dexter W. Dean, 86, who died at his home in Rudd on Wednesday, Feb. 24, were held at the Sheckler funeral home in Nora Springs on Saturday, Feb. 27, and were conducted by the Rev. E.E. Clements, pastor of the Methodist church in Rudd.

Pall bearers were H.A Dockstader, Hazael Ethington, Homer Burcham and Fred Ehlebracht.
A quartet composed of Ivan Bartz, Ed Folkerts, Ernest Ryner and Paul Staker, sang “In The Garden” and “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere”. They were accompanied at the piano by Mrs. I.W. Edie. Floral arrangements were in charge of Mrs. Berl Stalker and Mrs. Louis LaCoste. Burial was in the Rudd cemetery.

Dexter Witter Dean was born in DeKalb county, Illinois, on Nov. 17, 1856. The eldest son of Thomas and Weathy Dean, he came to Iowa with his parents - part of the way in a covered wagon- when he was eight years old. In 1866 they returned to Illinois, where he was married to Mary Phoebe Riddle in June ’78. To this union three children were born: Ellsworth C. Dean of Rudd, Bertha E., now Mrs. Irving Crowell of Rockford, and Hazel H., now Mrs. James Lear of Shellsburg.

In 1881 he again returned to Iowa with his family and settled on a farm in Scott township. After a few years he moved to Rudd, which has been his home ever since. His wife preceded him in death in 1894.

In the year 1915 he was married to Mrs. Clara Rathjen, who has been his companion to the end.

Those left to mourn his passing are his three children, his wife and four step-children, who are: Mrs. August Moeller, Mrs. Walter Dunning, Lynn Rathjen and Mrs. Guy Roark; also one brother, Daniel Dean; one sister, Mrs. Alta Losee; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.