Sheldon Dean

SHELDON LEE DEAN was born to Floyd and Marjeret (Eekhoff) Dean on June 1, 1946 in Willmar, Minnesota. He spent his childhood in Willmar and was baptized and confirmed at Soloman Lutheran Church in Willmar. He attended and graduated from Willmar Public School and then continued his education at Pipestone Vo-Tech school for meat cutting after spending some time working various jobs. While attending school in Pipestone, Sheldon met the love of his life, Judy Harkema. The couple were united in marriage on July 22, 1978 at Peace United Methodist Church in Pipestone and spent the next 44 years loving each other well. After completing school, Sheldon took various jobs before eventually settling in Marshall, Minnesota to work for the Swift turkey processing plant. After 18 years working for Swift, he took an early retirement in 1989 due to health complications. Sheldon enjoyed retirement, moving back to Pipestone to spend time with friends and family. He dedicated time to drawing and art, listening to music, Vikings football, and his grandchildren. He recently received the new title of great-grandfather to baby Ellie. In 2021, Sheldon became a resident at Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone, where he made friends with both residents and staff. On October 15, 2022, Sheldon passed away peacefully at the age of 76 years, 4 months, and 14 days.

Sheldon’s pride and joy was his family and he loved to spend time with them in any way that he could. He also enjoyed drawing and practicing his art work. He liked watching TV including cooking shows, westerns, Vikings Football, and wrestling. He also enjoyed listening to music of all kinds from gospel hymns to Elvis. He also often watched church on TV or listened to it on the radio.

Sheldon is survived by his wife of 44 years, Judy of Slayton, Minnesota; daughter Angela Olivier of Slayton; grandchildren MiKayla (Dylan) Schreier of Lake Wilson, Minnesota and Darien (Jeremiah Engelkes) Olivier of Slayton; great-granddaughter Elinnor Engelkes; siblings Billie Dean of Eugene Oregon, Frances (Bob) Walz of Shakopee, Minnesota, and Bradley (Jolene) Dean of Willmar; and very special family friend Jeff Zea of Slayton. Sheldon was preceded in death by his parents Floyd and Marjeret Dean and his brother James Dean.