Mary Dean

October 1, 1928 - January 16, 2023

Visitation: Family will greet visitors one hour prior to the service

Service: Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 21, 2023 at Canton United Methodist Church.

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      Mary Dean, age 94, died peacefully at her home on Monday, January 16, 2023.  Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 21, 2023 at Canton United Methodist Church.  Family will greet visitors one hour prior to the service.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Canton United Methodist Church Youth Fund or the Canton Community Center.

     Mary was born on October 1, 1928 in Sioux City, IA to Thomas and Dorothy (Knudson) McBride.  She attended Floyd Grade School and graduated from Central High School both in Sioux City, IA.  She earned a degree in Social Work from the University of South Dakota in 1951.  She married Earl Dean on November 22, 1951 in Sioux City, IA.

        In addition to raising her family, Mary worked as a social worker for the Good Samaritan Society, at McCord’s and spent 23 years as a teacher’s aide and volunteer for the Canton School District.  Mary was a strong, positive woman who loved children, taking care of her family, playing bridge, the color red, and wearing a nice hat.  She was member of the Eastern Star and was an active member of Canton United Methodist Church.

Grateful for sharing her life are her sons, Terry, Volin, SD and Todd, Canton, SD; daughter, Trudy (Kevin) Wicks, Reno, NV; grandchildren, Steve Dean, Travis (Lorena) Wicks, Tyler (Erica) Wicks, and Lynn Van Sloten; great-grandchildren, Kaylee Dean, Ella Van Sloten, and Everett Wicks; along with extended family and friends.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Earl; her parents; grandson Billy Dean; granddaughter, Kayla Mary Wicks; sister, Jean Higgins; and brother, Tom McBride.

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47 messages have been left

  1. Alan Kroger on January 17, 2023 said:

    Just a note to let you all know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I used to work with her and she always always had a great smile to greet you with. RIP sweet Mary ❤️

    1. Todd Dean on January 18, 2023 said:

      Thank you Alan

  2. Nancy Ellis on January 17, 2023 said:

    Mary was a wonderful women who always smiled. my condolences to all of you.

    1. Todd Dean on January 18, 2023 said:

      Thanks Nancy,
      Trudy, Terry, and Todd

  3. Nancy Veenis on January 17, 2023 said:

    hey Trudy my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family she was a good woman love and miss you

    1. Todd Dean on January 18, 2023 said:

      Thank you,
      Trudy, Todd, and Terry

  4. Gail Bauer on January 17, 2023 said:

    Mary was an exceptional person! She was fun loving, kind and looked great in a red hat! My mom, Doris Everhart, enjoyed visiting with her when she used to eat lunch at the Senior Center. I remember attending her 90th birthday party. Her enthusiasm for life was everyone’s gift. God Bless Her Memory.

    1. Todd Dean on January 18, 2023 said:

      Thank you,
      Terry, Trudy, and Todd

  5. Shelly Kolbeck on January 17, 2023 said:

    Mary was such a special person in my life. I’ve known her since I can remember. I will miss her dearly and treasure all the wonderful memories with our families and lifelong childhood friends. ❤️❤️

    1. Todd Dean on January 18, 2023 said:

      Thanks Shelly,
      Trudy, Terry, and Todd

  6. Sharon Kinzley on January 17, 2023 said:

    Sending prayers and my deep sympathy to your family after the loss of Mary, who was a very special lady. I have many good memories of her as a Salem neighbor and of babysitting with you 3 kids. She was a big part of my growing up days in a great neighborhood! God bless you all♥️

    1. Todd Dean on January 18, 2023 said:

      Thank you,
      Trudy, Terry, and Todd

  7. Judy Deinema on January 17, 2023 said:

    Trudy and Kevin, Many warm thoughts for you. Mary lived such a full and impactful life. I am so sorry for you loss.

    1. Todd Dean on January 18, 2023 said:

      Thank you Judy,
      Trudy, Kevin, Terry, and Todd

  8. Jeffrey Van De Stroet on January 17, 2023 said:

    So sorry to hear this she was such a great woman. Heard a lot of great stories about her and your father.

    1. Todd Dean on January 18, 2023 said:

      Thank you,
      Todd, Terry, and trudy

  9. Signe Bunkers Espinoza O'Connor on January 17, 2023 said:

    Dear Trudy and family..so sorry for the passing of your mother. May God grant you comfort and peace during this difficult time.

    1. Todd Dean on January 18, 2023 said:

      Thank you,
      Trudy, Terry, and Todd

  10. Susan Valencia on January 18, 2023 said:

    Our thoughts and prayers are with Trudy and family. We feel lucky to have met Mary and remember her warm and friendly smile every time we met her. May her memory bring comfort to everyone that knew her and loved her and may remembering her bring the memory of her beautiful, warm and friendly smile. Sincerely, Armando, Susan and Lydia

    1. Todd Dean on January 18, 2023 said:

      Thank you,
      Trudy, Terry, and Todd

  11. Teresa Halling on January 18, 2023 said:

    My deepest sympathy on the passing of your Mother. Mary was an icon in the Canton community and will be missed. She always greated you with a smile. May your grief turn into joyful memories.

    1. Todd Dean on January 18, 2023 said:

      Thank you,
      Todd, Trudy, and Terry

  12. Tim Bartling on January 18, 2023 said:

    Worked with Mary, she was one of the nicest people i have been around. God bless here. R,I,P, Mary

    1. Todd Dean on January 18, 2023 said:

      Thank you,
      Todd, Trudy, and Terry

  13. Kathy Bahnson on January 18, 2023 said:

    Mary was a great lady. She will be missed by many people. Prayers and hugs for all.

    1. Todd Dean on January 18, 2023 said:

      Thank you,
      Terry, Trudy, and Todd

  14. jackie lukes on January 18, 2023 said:

    I was blessed to know Mary several years ago when i worked for Home Care. I so enjoyed visiting with her and Earl, She was so proud of her collection of baby shoes. She so kind answer my silly questions about all her collection
    Think of her often.
    Prayers to the family

    1. Todd Dean on January 18, 2023 said:

      Thank you,
      Terry, Trudy, and Todd

  15. Fran Winter on January 18, 2023 said:

    Mary was a great lady. She was always cheerful and fun to be around. Many school children were blessed by knowing her. She had a beautiful smile and a great laugh. She will be missed. So very sorry for your less.

  16. Johnson Feed on January 18, 2023 said:

    Todd, Terry, Trudy & Family, We were so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. She was a very kind, caring and loving person. And she always had a beautiful smile whenever you saw her. She will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. God bless your family. With Love & Deepest Sympathy, Your Friends at JFI

  17. Fran Winter on January 18, 2023 said:

    the last word was supposed to be loss.

  18. Karen Leffler on January 18, 2023 said:

    She will be missed. That wonderful smile.

  19. Cookie King on January 18, 2023 said:

    Todd, you and your family were blessed to be able to be with your mom for many years. I know she loved having you with her. She was a lucky woman.

  20. Julie McCarty on January 18, 2023 said:

    Mary was such a special lady and I was very lucky to have her volunteer in my classroom for 23 years! She was wonderful with the kids and they always loved having Mary come to read with them! My special memory was the day she and Earl came to Dawson’s adoption finalization! I will miss her so much especially her smile and red high tops!

  21. Julie Baldwin-Boor on January 19, 2023 said:

    Mary was such a wonderful lady! I really got to know her, when I was working at Haisch’s. I enjoyed helping her at Christmas, the most. She had it all planned out. She would come in one day and look things over, go home and make her list and then come back and shop. I would get a chair for her and we would chat, while I wrapped her gifts. She was always “styling” with her wonderful hats and her sporty shoes! She will be missed by many! My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

  22. Mary Stahl on January 19, 2023 said:

    Norm and I send our love and most sincere sympathy in the passing of Mary. What a joy to Heaven she will be. We shared so much of life together and are so grateful for that. Be comforted by your memories of being blessed with this amazing and delightful woman as your mother. Our love and friendship. Mary and Norm

  23. Cindy Desy on January 19, 2023 said:

    What a wonderful person she was, since I left Canton and moved back to the Lennox store I have missed her. She lived a wonderful life. Her hats were a trademark of hers I will never forget. You’ll have a lot of good memories of her. God Bless you all, so sorry for you loss.

  24. Nina Edmunds Brown on January 20, 2023 said:

    My sympathy to your family. Mary was a lovely, classy lady. How lucky you are to have had her with you all these years. You have many happy memories to help you through your loss.

  25. Lynn Vaksdal on January 20, 2023 said:

    Im so Sorry to hear about Mary passing .. I worked with Mary at McCords … I seen Mary in Dec and it was good to have chatted with Mary .as alway had a smiling.. Hang on To all those great memories with Mom Was a great lady . Lynn Vaksdal

  26. Renee Johnson on January 20, 2023 said:

    A few memories I had of Mary was in our earlier years Trudy! I remember the first time I ate a meal at your house & your mom had cloth napkins. Coming from the farm, that was not something I was used to, that would mean more laundry!! To me your mom was always classy! Loved her sweet smile. Sending hugs & prayers for comfort & many special memories shared!

  27. Teresa Feucht on January 20, 2023 said:

    I was very sad to hear this. I am sorry for your loss. Your mother was a ray of sunshine and so kind. and had a welcoming smile.

  28. Marcia Buie on January 21, 2023 said:

    I pray that all of your family finds comfort in all the memories and knowing that she is in Heaven. Mary was always kind to everyone no matter the circumstances. She was a blessing to so many people and will be greatly missed.

  29. Kathy Keiser on January 21, 2023 said:

    Mary –such a marvelous lady–loved by many. Definitely in my thoughts and prayers!! Prayers for the family!!

  30. Glen and Kathy Dean on January 21, 2023 said:

    I loved my aunt Mary and Uncle Earl very much and enjoyed our visits to Canton she will be missed very much.Condolences to Trudy, Terry, and Todd. Glen

    I only spent minimal time with Aunt Mary. She was always so kind to me. I know her family and friends will miss her but we know she’s in a better place with Uncle Earl. Kathy

  31. Teresa Feucht on January 21, 2023 said:

    It made me sad to hear this. Mary was a ray of sunshine with a welcoming smile. She was always so kind.

  32. Jill Ulmer on January 22, 2023 said:

    So sorry to hear about the loss of your mom Todd! She was a very sweet lady! You guys are in our thoughts and prayers .

  33. Sandy PetersThomas on May 8, 2023 said:

    Todd, I just heard that Maryhad passed. I have such wonderful memories of her. We worked together at Good Samaritan and then through RSVP! She loved coming to our suppers at Our Savior country church and we would always catch up. God bless her memories. She Nola Meyer and I had some great times together.