Service Information
Dean Conklin, age 92, of Winthrop, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at the Good Samaritan Society in Winthrop.
Memorial Service will be Saturday, April 23, 2022, 11:00 A.M. at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winthrop with interment in the Winthrop Cemetery.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be Friday, April 22, 2022, from 4:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M. and will continue one hour prior to the service, ALL at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winthrop.
Military Honors by the Winthrop Honor Guard.
Obituary
Dean Ross Conklin was born on June 15, 1929, in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He was the son of Roger and Leona (Danekas) Conklin. Dean was baptized as an infant and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth at the Methodist Church in New Hartford, Iowa. He received his education in New Hartford and was a graduate of the New Hartford High School Class of 1947. Dean furthered his education at the University of Minnesota, earning his Bachelor’s Degree in agricultural education.
On December 5, 1951, Dean entered active military service and served his country in the United States Air Force as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician (EOD). He received the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Dean was Honorable Discharged on December 4, 1955, having achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant.
On August 2, 1952, Dean was united in marriage to Marilyn Mastain in Waterloo, Iowa. After their marriage, the couple resided in Spokane, Washington, while he was in the United States Air Force. Later they lived in St. Paul and Rochester before moving to Winthrop in 1964. Dean owned and operated Conklin Nursery for 25 years. He was also the ag teacher in Winthrop for 24 years. Dean and Marilyn were blessed with five children, Martha, Paul, Bradley, Blair and Lori. They shared 57 years of marriage when Marilyn passed away on February 21, 2010.
Dean was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winthrop, the Shriners, Masonic Lodge #209 and ESGR (Employer, Support, Guard and Reserve).
Dean enjoyed gardening, driving his little Corvette for the Shriners in parades, taking people to Children’s Hospital, having coffee at Hahn’s, and visiting with everyone.
When he needed assistance with his daily care, Dean became a resident of the Winthrop Good Samaritan Society on February 4. 2022, and passed away there on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at the age of 92 years. Blessed be his memory.
Dean is survived by his:
Children, Martha Alsleben and her husband, Randy of New London, MN,
Paul Conklin and his wife, Jean of Wheeler, WI,
Bradley Conklin and his wife, Suzi of Anchorage, AK,
Blair Conklin and his wife, Gwen of River Falls, WI, and
Lori Plemmons and her husband, Dale of North Mankato, MN;
12 Grandchildren;
Sisters, Yvonne Goodwater of Spokane, WA, and Arlene Howe of Racine, WI;
Sister-in-law, Sally Conklin of Wheeler, WI;
Nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Dean was preceded in death by his Parents, Roger and Leona Conklin; Wife, Marilyn Conklin; Brother, Roger Conklin; and Brothers-in-law, Gilbert Goodwater and Dean Howe.
Brenda (Berle) Paulson says
Lori & Conklin family…
Deepest sympathy to you at this time. Dean was a great man!
Dave & Sheila Honl says
Dean will be remembered fondly by all who knew him. We will always remember him driving around Oak Lane in his van with the sliding door open as he “walked” his little dog. Always made us smile and chuckle when we would see them coming down the street. Our sympathies to the family.
Sam & Tom langhoff says
Dean was such a nice man, always took the time to talk to his friends, he surly will be missed. Sympathy goes out to the families!
Sharon and Dwight Neubarth says
What a kind person he was always to all.
Jay Zabel says
There was not a person with a bigger or kinder heart! Always a supporter of the underdog. He touched a multitude of lives.
Mark & Martha Santelman says
One of the delights of living in Winthrop the past 20 years was getting to know Dean Conklin. A beloved icon who brought a smile to your face at the mere sight of him. Dean will be missed by many. Our kids all thought he was cool…that’s pretty good for a guy in his 90’s!
Katie Gran says
We will forever miss the sound of Dean’s gator driving by our house as he took in everything around him. We knew when he was coming up Hennepin street, “Here comes Dean” as the engine would roll up the street….. When I was in high school and I worked at the grocery store, he would always call us “smiley”, it made us want to smile even more. I’ll also miss walking by his house with our dogs, and his little dog would come running out at us and he would just sit in his chair and wave, she eventually went back up and kept him company. He will be missed by many who knew him.
Darlene Zabel says
Dear Deano. He was a unique individual with the biggest heart. Yes, you just smile when you think about him. He and Vint are having a great time remembering Winthrop. My sympathy to the family.
Blake and Joy Howe says
Uncle Dean was always a positive and uplifting person. After every conversation you would walk away feeling happier, better, and with another bit of wisdom. We will never forget him.
Blake and Joy Howe
Eau Claire, WI
Gene Miller says
I met Dean in the summer of 1964 when he moved to Winthrop. I am proud to have been a student of his and personal friend and am so grateful for the knowledge and experiences I gained from him. Dean was a wonderful person known to many and he will never be forgotten by me.
Kristi Ruschmeyer says
My deepest sympathy to all of Dean’s family and friends! Dean & Marilyn attended First Lutheran Church with my parents (Roger & Lois Pagel). Dean definitely loved people, where he lived, and his church! ?? He treated people with kindness and love. He always wore a smile and had the biggest heart! He had a way of making everyone feel important. What a wonderful person who will be missed by many (including me).
Shawn Losure says
Favorite memory of Dean was his daily visits to the nursing home to see his grandmother Martha and his mother in law Cornelia. He rarely missed a day and a true tribute to his kindness. My condolences to his family. Shawn Losure
Julie Howe-Fries says
What I’ll cherish and miss from my awesome Uncle Dean were the big hugs I’d get when I’d see him (he’d grab me tight) and whisper in my ear “you know where you got your good looks from don’t yah sweetie? The Conklin side!” And give me a juicy smooch on my cheek!!! He’d always put a smile on my and everyone’s face !
Shane Sheets says
My thoughts and prayers are with the Conklin family. He was always an energetic, compassionate, and smart man. Rest easy, Brother.
Barry Brigger says
“Mr. Dean” was a good man. He cared so much for his family, friends, students, and anyone else he met along the way. I have so many fond memories of him during my years at Winthrop Public School. My thoughts and prayers are with the Conklin family during this time of loss. Blessings to you all !!!!!
Kevin Pioske says
I knew Dean before I joined him with the Shriners and the Classic Car Club. Many a parade was performed, and many a mile travelled with my good friend and mentor, as we performed to support the kids at the Shriners Hospital. He had an uncanny way of talking his way out of traffic tickets. Put a lot of important looking stickers on your bumpers and windows and you can probably beat the fine, with a bit of sweet-talk, of course. But every one of those stickers and emblems were truthful, and badges of honor for a life of service to others.
Lorraine Hoffman says
Dear Family of Dean,
My deepest sympathy upon the loss of your father and grandfather. My brothers, Don and Herb Johnson were good friends with Dean while attending school in New Hartford. I was the tag along little sister who loved to be close when my brothers’ friends came to our home….much to the dismay of Don and Herb as I now reflect. Dean was one who always had a little time to say hi and tease me. That people skill and love for others never changed over his lifetime as I read his obituary and know more about the lives he impacted with his knowledge, curiosity, kindness, and mindfulness for putting others before himself. He and I were not closely attached over the years but we did see each other at several New Hartford alumni banquets, some of those moments were after both brothers had deceased. Without fail, we would gravitate toward one another to share happy memories and of course sad losses, but at the end of our time together, all was positive and looking into the future…..I shall never forget those moments as he connected me about the importance of my brothers, the value of good friends,and times we all shared. The other note of gratitude I wish to raise is his donation of young trees to reestablish the north tree line of our cenetery so severely damaged by the tornado in 2008. Wonderful and such a generous outpouring for our community.
You were blessed with wonderful parents, as I was…..one of the greatest gifts God gives to young people. It is with pride that we have watched, listened and learned so that we may carry on their lagacies.
God Bless and Do Not Be Sad Too Long….Just Carry On!!!
In Christian love, Lorraine (Johnson) and Peter Hoffman….. and for all the Johnsons you and your father have touched.
Alice Kemper says
So sorry for you loss. Dean was so very enjoyable to work with at Gold Country Seed. Always so caring for everyone.
Jenny Palmer says
Dean was one of a kind! I have so many great memories of Dean coming in my office and filling me in on all the goings on in Winthrop. Sometimes he would bring Molly with and she would hang out with us too. He would come in and pick up his Ag Week magazines we saved for him and we would talk about anything and everything under the sun! He had so many great stories of his childhood, military time and his family. He truly lived a full life and he enjoyed every last minute. He is one of the people I have missed most from Winthrop. Rest in peace Dean but know you are so very missed.
Jenny Palmer (Ohland)
Jodi Evans Marti says
My deepest sympathies to the Conklin family. I will always have the fondest memories of Dean, when he would get me out of class my senior year, and we’d go to the kitchen and talk. He was such a wonderful man and his kindness to me will never be forgotten. Rest In Peace.