Dean Clayton Matthew DePauw, better known as “Opa” or “Deano”, age 71, passed on Wednesday December 16, 2020, at his home in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Born January 6, 1949, in Luverne, Minnesota, the ninth child of 13 children to Albert and Cora “Lorraine” (Irwin) DePauw.
Dean grew up on the mean gravel roads and farms fields of Luverne and Ash Creek. He was a proud graduate of Luverne High School, class of 1967. Known as the “Banty Rooster” he wrestled for the Cardinals. Always dedicated to his alma mater, he helped plan reunions. Luverne was a constant throughout his life, visits with his brother Delbert being a highlight.
Dean was a free spirited, small-town, southwestern Minnesota boy who loved music, family and the outdoors. His love for music started in his youth, he could be found at Valley Springs, Hatfield, MN or later in life at Buffett concerts. Dean struck out into the world and started working at a very young age in a local filling station in Luverne. His next venture led him to traveling the Upper Midwest with a local carnival, setting up the Ferris wheel along with his two youngest brothers.
Dean met his bride-to-be, Caryn Lee Arnold during the summer of 68’ at Blue Mound State Park near Luverne. Soon after, Dean was assigned to Fort Sill Oklahoma as a PV1 where he began his service to his country serving in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1971. Prior to being honorably discharged, he earned the rank of Army RA SIG SP5. Dean, was extremely proud of his service to his country as a radio operator where his role took them to Germany.
During his service Dean was awarded the National Defense Service Medal & Good Conduct Medal. One of his proudest military accomplishments was earning a medal for Expert Marksmanship on the M14 and SS M16 platforms. This skill followed him through his life and translated into his hunting endeavors. Dean was an excellent marksman!
Dean and his bride returned to the states landing in Huron, South Dakota, where he worked with his brother Daryl “Butch” DePauw at Zip Feed Mill. He was very proud to be on the construction team for the first grain elevator in Huron. In the fall of ’71 they brought Tara, their first child, into the world. Soon after Tara was born, they moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where Dean began his training in the tech field, at The Control Data Institute. It was here where he met a colleague who became his lifelong friend, Loren Hieggelke.
From Minneapolis the family moved to Marshfield, Wisconsin, where they welcomed Chad, their son, into the family. It was there that Dean started his career as a Computer Technician at Raytheon. Dean’s career took the family to stops in Marshall, Wisconsin, Jacksonville, Florida, and ultimately landing in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, where they raised their family. Once established, Dean continued his growth and development in his career by obtaining his degree from Madison Business College in 1984. This launched his long and distinguished career in software sales.
Dean being a consummate family man took immense pride in his children. From coaching Little League baseball, classy lassy, flipping pancakes at Sacred Hearts, volunteering at the VFW, and grilling chicken at the Merrimac Conservation Club, you could always find Dean at the ready to lend a helping hand.
Dean was known to be a self starter, innovator, and a pioneer always supporting the community, the church, his friends but most of all his family. He was a leader and organizer from family outings, golf trips or the infamous “Deer Hunter’s Ball”. Whether it was hunting, fishing, singing karaoke (Crystal Gail “Chandeliers”), screen printing, classic cars, camping, boating or sharing a beer or a cup of coffee.
He was a traveling man, his job took him on the road where he met many people and touched many lives; however, nothing would keep him away from family events. From Wolford, North Dakota, to Key West, Florida, to Europe to sing with a choir. No one could plan a trip or outing better than Dean. His dedication to taking back roads may cause you to miss that outing, but you would never complain, as you had the time of your life.
Dean loved his children and that pride only grew as Chad, Kari, Tara and Jeff started families of their own. His pride and joy were his five grandchildren. As a father and a grandfather, Dean always loved the holidays with his family, no matter the distance or time of year. Being the favorite brother to 12 siblings, a favorite uncle to over 100 nieces and nephews was not an easy feat. A firm but fair man, Dean was always quick to open his home to a family member in need.
“A pirate rounds 71, he leaves us all back here, but asks us all to raise a glass and not to shed a tear. When you think of him simply smile as he would rather you give a cheer. The windshield is large, the rear view mirror is small, so go on with your lives but don’t forget to call. He is among the stars and with the giants, he will forever beckon us all. But beware out there somewhere the “Opa Santo” will come to visit us all!” – DePauw & Swalve Family’s – December 19th 2020“But there is one particular harbor so far, but yet so near. When I see the days as they fade away and finally disappear.” “One Particular Harbor” – Jimmy Buffett 1983
He is survived by his two children, Chad (Kari) DePauw of Darlington and Tara (Jeff) Swalve of Waunakee; five grandchildren, Hunter, Cade, and Taylor Swalve, and Addison and Piper DePauw, Caryn Olyver, mother of his children; brother Denny (Julia) DePauw of Jacksonville, Florida; sister Sheila (Steve) Kluever of Worthington, Minnesota; Burdette (Maxine) DePauw of McHenry Illinois; two sisters-in-law, Barb DePauw, Huron, South Dakota and Joyce DePauw, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He loved and cherished them all.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Loriane DePauw, and his nine siblings, Delores (Delmore) Kasemodel, Eileen Roemeling, Albert DePauw, Keith (Dorla) DePauw, Delbert DePauw, Dale (Reva) DePauw, Marlys (Don) Engel, Darrel ‘Butch” DePauw, Carol (Charlie) Henderson and his sister-in-law Carol DePauw.
A Catholic Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Catholic Church, 229 Columbus St., Sun Prairie, Father Lawrence Oparaji presiding. A visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church on Wednesday. Following the service, a presentation of the American flag and service of military taps will be performed at the VFW in Sun Prairie to Honor Dean’s military service. Dean will be laid to rest in his home town of Luverne, Minnesota, in the coming spring of 2021. To view Mass via livestream, please visit Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/shjmp/
In lieu of flowers or gifts, and to honor Dean’s life, the family has requested any gifts be made to the Dean DePauw Military Honor Fund: By clicking the GoFundMe Check – made out to Chad DePauw DDMHF mail to: Chad DePauw215 S. Century Ave #16053597.
Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral & Cremation
Sun Prairie 608-837-5400
www.newcomerfh.com
(1231 paid verbatim with photo)