Dean Sheeler

Larchwood, Iowa Dean Sheeler, age 74 of Larchwood, IA died Friday, April 24, 2009 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, April 29th at Jurrens Funeral Home in Larchwood, with Rev. George Clausen officiating. Burial will follow at the Larchwood Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, April 28th from 2:00 " 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 " 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of Larchwood. Dean Sheeler was born February 13, 1935 in Kingsley, IA to Lloyd and Lillian (Rentschler) Sheeler. His family moved to a farm north of Larchwood in 1941. Dean received his education and graduated from Larchwood High School. He farmed with his father until Lloyd died at which time Dean took over the family farming operation. He loved farming and selling seed corn. He was nominated for the Pioneer Shipper award at the Sioux Falls Stockyards. He could not wait for spring to arrive so he could get in the fields. He loved baseball and was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and of course the hometown Larchwood team. He also enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers play. Playing card games especially pinnacle and wist was a favorite pass time. Dean was united in marriage to Darlene DeBates on September 14, 1968 in Sherman, SD at the Highland Lutheran Church. The couple lived at the family farm north of Larchwood until moving to town in October of 2005. Dean raised livestock as well as farming grain. He semi-retired in 1996 but continued grain farming until his death. He loved to watch his granddaughter play volleyball and basketball. His joy was his family and he loved to have the grandkids visit and stay a few days at a time with grandma and grandpa. Dean is survived by his wife of 40 years, Darlene; three daughters, Lesley (Lou) Krohn of Rowena, SD, Bonnie Sheeler of Phoenix, AZ, and Dawn (Lance) Arp of Lennox, SD; three grandchildren, Laken and Landon Krohn and Jillian Arp. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Lillian Sheeler; sisters, Carolyn Snyders and Gloria Ellsworth; and brother, Larry Sheeler.