Dean Ardell Minchow was born May 9, 1940, to Ardell and Lorene (Pyle) Minchow in Lincoln. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on June 1, 2025, at Tabitha in Crete.
During Dean’s life journey, he attended Pleasant Dale grade school and graduated from Milford High School. He continued to help on the family farm and began working at Lincoln Steele in the shipping and receiving office. On May 26, 1962, he married the love of his life, Charlene Katt at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Seward. They made their home on Dean’s family farm near Pleasant Dale and were blessed with three children, Brenda, Sharyn and Scott.
Dean then decided to farm full time and he and Charlene purchased the family farm. Over the years, he grew corn, milo, wheat, soybeans, alfalfa and oats, as well as raising some hogs and Hereford cattle. Later, he raised Red Angus cattle along with his crops. Dean enjoyed farm life and started the day by meeting with his many friends for a morning coffee at the PD Quick Stop or Farmers Co-op to catch up on the news and talk about their plans for the day or find out who may need some help. Dean was a very caring person who was always happy to lend a helping hand.
Dean served on the Pleasant Dale Cooperative Board, Cemetery Board and the Pleasant Dale Volunteer Fire Department for 25+ years and was a member of the Pleasant Dale United Methodist Church his entire life. Upon semi-retiring from farming, Dean worked at Southeast Community College in Milford at the physical plant/grounds maintenance department while continuing to proudly work alongside his son, Scott, who took over the family farm.
Dean enjoyed fishing, playing cards, Charlene’s wonderful cooking and especially being with his family and grandchildren whom he was so proud of.
Dean leaves a wonderful legacy of faith, love, kindness and strong helping hands for which we are all blessed. He will always be remembered by all who knew or met him for his wonderful smile, laugh and joking personality.
Dean is survived by his children, Brenda (Dan) Petsch, Pleasant Dale, Sharyn (Dave) Marreel, Lincoln, and Scott Minchow, Pleasant Dale; grandchildren, Megan (Peter) Sobczyk, Trevor Marreel, Ashley Marreel, Stephanie (Alex) Hall; five great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Alan and Mary Minchow, Milford; sisters-in-law Susan, Minchow, Pleasant Dale, and Carol Katt, Lincoln; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Dean was preceded in death by his wife, Charlene; parents, Ardell and Lorene Minchow; Infant sister, Marylin Minchow; sisters and brothers-in-laws, Jeanette (Keith) Bottrell and Doris (Bob) Lukow; brother, Ronald Minchow; parents-in-law, Henry and Laura Katt; and brothers-in-law and sister-in-law Don, Donna and Alan Katt.
A gathering of family and friends will be Monday, June 9, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at Volzke Funeral Home. A memorial service will be Tuesday, June 10, at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home with a private committal at the Pleasant Dale Cemetery. Memorial contributions suggested to the Pleasant Dale Volunteer Fire Department.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the entire staff at Tabitha in Crete and Tabitha Hospice for all their compassionate care and support.
Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
