of Chelsea, age 91, Dean died Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at the Chelsea Retirement Community. He was born in Lake Preston, South Dakota on February 26, 1924, the youngest of three children born to Charles and Ida (Brooks) Alseth. Dean is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara; two daughters, Sharon Alseth Bartholomew (John) of Indianapolis, Indiana, Susan Wellman (Mark) of Chelsea; grandchildren Michelle, Brian and Catherine Wellman; nieces Elizabeth Heller, Martha Heller; and nephew Peter Heller. Dean was preceded in death by his devoted sister and friend Dorothy Heller, and brother Charles Alseth.
Dean was interested in learning about almost everything. As a young man, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts organization. As an adult he followed his pursuits in the wild as a hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed golf, bowling and chess, wine and beer making, cooking and baking, oil painting and model ship building, socializing with neighbors, and taking on do-it-yourself projects. While his interests evolved over the years, one constant was his service to his church, in a number of volunteer capacities.
A 1942 graduate of Lake Preston High School, Dean went on to Yankton College in South Dakota, and served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, as a member of the esteemed Scouts and Raiders, and as an admiral’s aide. Throughout his life Dean loved to share stories, and often reminisced about his days in the Pacific. He was a student of history - military, and genealogy, and was fascinated by tracing his family roots.
After his honorable discharge from the Navy, and his graduation from Yankton, Dean joined the U.S. Gypsum Company, where he was a dedicated employee for 40 years, retiring in 1987 as a Marketing Policy Manager. He and Barb started their family in Omaha, Nebraska, and, with a job promotion in 1968, moved to Arlington Heights, Illinois where they made their home for 29 years. In 1997, Dean and Barb moved to Chelsea, and filled their retirement years with family, new friends and community activities.
Proud, loyal, and positive are words that best describe our husband, father, grandfather and uncle. He truly was a friend to all.
The family would like to extend its heartfelt appreciation to the caregivers and companions at Towsley Village, Silver Maples Retirement Community and at home, for the professional and personal care, compassion and love they gave to Dean.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, January 7, 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Chelsea, with Pastor Jim Coyl officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday at the church from 1 - 2 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul United Church of Christ. Arrangements by Cole Funeral Chapel, Chelsea.
Please sign Dean's online guestbook and leave a message or memory for his family.