Dean Frank, 91, passed away Saturday, Sept. 1, at The Cedars of Austin.
He was born in Carpenter, Iowa, to Rufus and Nettie (Bendickson) Frank on June 26, 1927. He lived and attended school in Carpenter until 1938, then moved to Toeterville, Iowa. He continued school in Toeterville and graduated from St. Ansgar High School in 1945. After graduation, he moved with his parents to a farm in the Lyle area, where he started farming with his father.
On Sept. 12, 1949, he married Dolores Reinartz at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Rose Creek. They farmed in the Lyle area until he retired.
Delos and Dolores were partners in just about everything they did from farming to delivering seed. And the partnership extended into community volunteer activities. and many trips across the country.
First and foremost, he was a farmer and was proud to have farmed for 61 years. He was always interested in new ways of doing things on the farm. In 1970, he started Frank Seed Service, which he ran successfully until he retired at the age of 80. He enjoyed seeing his customers every year. It was common to have a customer, friend or neighbor stop in the office, and, a pot of coffee and hour later, a little business and a lot of fun was had.
Delos was very active in farm and civic organizations. He served as a longtime board member of the Mower County Farm Bureau. Delos was a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Lyle and a longtime member of the Lyle Lions Club and spent 30 years on the Nevada Township Board. He also served with the state and county township officer’s association. He was a campaign chairman for Congressman Al Quie. Delos was involved in many local and state committees and GOP politics and always enjoyed seeing and talking with people from around the state. He was deeply committed to service to the community and was proud to see his children and grandchildren continue that role.
Survivors include his wife, Dolores; six children, Vernon of Faribault, Stanley (Janice) of Medford, Ronald (Beverly) of Lyle, Carol Frank (Don Atkinson) of Lacrosse, Wis., Wayne (Karen) and Leslie of Lyle; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus and Nettie, and his sister, Dixie (Chuck) Warrington of St. Ansgar, Iowa.
Thank You. Delos, Del, husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa and friend to many.
We would like to thank the staff at the Cedars of Austin. And Dr. Ross and the Staff at Mitchell county Regional Health Care Center for the care in his final months.