Gala Marie Dean 1921-2009

DEAN HEATH RILEY

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 12/19/2009 at 23:40:41

Mapleton Press
12 November 2009

Gala M. Dean 1921- 2009

Gala M. Dean, age 88, of Ida Grove, Iowa, died Tuesday, November 3, 2009, at Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove.

Memorial services were held 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 6, 2009, at the First Presbyterian Church in Battle Creek, Iowa under the direction of Christensen-Huffman Funeral Homes. The Rev. Kevin J. Freese officiated with burial to follow in Heisler Cemetery, Mapleton, Iowa. The family greeted friends on Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at Christensen-Huffman Funeral Home in Ida Grove. Online condolences may be directed to WWW.christensenhuffman.com.

Born November 1, 1921, on a farm near Ute, Iowa, Gala Marie Dean was one of two daughters born to Frank and Marie (Heath) Riley. She grew up and received her education in the Ute area, graduating from Ute High School in 1940.

On March 7, 1941, Gala was united in marriage to Robert Dean. The couple made their home in Mapleton, Iowa, first in town and later on a farm southwest of town, and raised their family of thirteen children.

Gala raised a large garden and enjoyed canning the produce from it for her large family. She enjoyed playing Bingo, fishing, attending her grandchildren’s activities, and watching Westerns on television. Mostly though, she cherished time spent with her family.

Survivors include twelve children, Leslie “Butch” (Patsy) Dean of Sealy, Texas, Roberta “Bobbie” (Jim) Chandler of Forsythe, Mt., Mary Jane (Spike) Sahl of Dexter, Or., Jolene (Dennis) Ladwig of Ida Grove, Danny (Joan) Dean of Westfield, Vernon (Dwan) Dean of Homer, Ne., Larry (Jan) Dean of Ashton, Id., Sheryl (Mason) Goodenow of Ida Grove, Terry Dean of Platte, SD., Nona (Ron) Chandler of Mapleton, Philip (Stacey) Dean of Toronto, S.D. and Alan (Louise) Dean of Virginia Beach, Va.; 67 grandchildren; 63 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by a brother-in-law, Hank Kraft of Mapleton as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband; two daughters, Lola Dean in infancy and Sharon Jamison; an infant granddaughter, Janet Dean; her parents; and a sister, Norma Kraft.