Dean W. Linde
Dean W. Linde went to be with the Lord in the early morning hours of January 6, 2019 after a brief battle with cancer–he was 86 years old. A service honoring his life will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church, Thompson, Saturday, Feb. 9, at 11 a.m. A lunch will be hosted by the Ladies Circle at Bethany Lutheran Church, immediately after the service.
Dean was born at the family farm outside of Lake Mills on Nov. 19, 1932 to Perry and Tillie (Dolen) Linde. He was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church, Lake Mills. He grew up in Lake Mills and graduated from school in 1950.
On March 6, 1953 he married the love of his life, Mavis Stenberg, and they took up residence in Thompson.
Dean enlisted in the U.S. Army (1953–1955) and was stationed stateside during the Korean War. He went on to work as Manager of the Thompson Elevator for many years, eventually relocating his family to Texas in 1976, where he turned himself into a great “car man,” making record sales and winning awards for Chrysler Dodge. He retired at age 63, but continued to work hard on acreage he purchased, and with the help of many a family member, cleared it and turned it into an amazing homestead, complete with beautiful gardens, a catfish pond and dock that he was so proud of. Later, Dean and Mavis traveled the States sightseeing and having adventures in their RV and then moved their residence to Pinehurst, Texas.
His greatest accomplishment was the fact that he was a devoted Christian, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He worked hard to provide for his family, he instilled his work ethic, his high values, and his commitment to doing business with honesty and integrity in his family. He was known in his professional and personal circles as a man with high expectations, a big smile and a sunny disposition—he exemplified what being a husband, a father, a friend and a neighbor truly means.
Dean no doubt touched and inspired hundreds of people in a positive and meaningful way over the years. He will be missed by everyone that had the pleasure of meeting him.
Dean is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mavis, whom he so gently cared for; daughters: Debra (Bill) Underbakke, New Mexico; Kim (Chris) Leonard, South Dakota; Denise Ortega, Texas; and Roxanne (Martin) Morin, also of Texas; grandchildren: Eric (Nikki) Etherington and daughter, Camber; Alex Undebakke; Sara (Chris) Snyder and sons, Owen and Caelan; Damian (Tia) Leonard and daughters, Sophie and Penelope; Megan Leonard and daughter, Alba; Emma Salsbury and daughters, Genevieve and Ava; Nels (Dana) Leonard; Grady Leonard; Maddie Ortega; and Shelby Morin; his beloved little sister, Arlene Zielske, whom he absolutely cherished; his dear cousins: Blanch Mikkelson, Utah; and Donald Dolen, Washington State.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Robert (Bob) Linde.
