Dean Allan MEINDERS

MEINDERS, PALS, GRUNHOVD, BAXTER, KRAMER, WILLIAMS, POPENHAGEN, CORDLE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/27/2013 at 13:07:53

November 3, 1934 --- May 21, 2013

Thornton — Dean A. Meinders, 78, of Thornton, passed away May 21, 2013, at the Rockwell Care Center, Rockwell, Iowa. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 24, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Thornton, with Pastor Rhea Eavenson presiding. Burial will be at the Meservey Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Retz Funeral Home, Thornton, on Thursday, May 23, from 5 to 8 p.m., and will continue one hour prior to services.

Dean Allan Meinders was born Nov. 3, 1934, in Belmond, Iowa, to Adolph and Martha (Pals) Meinders. Dean grew up in the Meservey and Thornton area. He attended country school and graduated from Thornton High School in 1953. Dean served in the Army Reserves from 1956 to 1962. Dean was married to Shirley Grunhovd on Sept. 29, 1956, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Scarville, Iowa. To this marriage five children were born: David, Darwin, Debora, Doreen and Dale.

Dean was a farmer and his love for farming lasted 55 years. Dean also served as trustee of Grimes Township, was a 4-H leader for 10 years, was a bus driver for the Meservey-Thornton School District for 20 years, and was a member of the Thornton Lions Club, in which he served in many leadership positions. Dean enjoyed playing cards and going to Branson, Mo. Most of all, he enjoyed family holiday and birthday gatherings. He was very proud of his grandchildren.

Dean is survived by his wife, Shirley (Grunhovd) Meinders, Thornton; son, David (Christi Baxter) of Swaledale, grandchildren, Troy Meinders, Krista (Brad) Kramer and Tyler Meinders, great-grandchildren, Jacoby and Avianna Kramer; son, Darwin (Linette) Meinders of Swaledale, grandchildren, Seth, Drew, and Evan Meinders; son, Dale (Dagmar) of Woodbury, Minn., grandchildren, Liv, Hanna, Ava, and Elin Meinders; daughter, Debora (Rus Williams) Popenhagen of Fairfax, Iowa, grandchildren, Tara and Megan Popenhagen, great-grandchild, Ariya Popenhagen; daughter, Doreen (Pat) Cordle of Manly, Iowa, grandchildren, Nathan and Natalie Cordle; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Adolph and Martha (Pals) Meinders.

Globe Gazette -- Mason City, Iowa
May 23, 2013