Barbara Joan Dean

Barbara Joan Dean, the daughter of Gerald “Jerry” and Helen (Stanton) Dean, was born February 22, 1954 in Spencer, Iowa.  Her childhood years were spent in Spencer.  Barb was a member of the VFW Spencerettes Drill Team during her school years and graduated from Spencer High School in 1972.

After high school, Barb completed a course to become a nurse’s aide. She went on to accept a position as an aide at St. Luke’s Nursing Home until she decided to venture out to Loveland, Colorado.  Barb returned to Spencer in 1977 to open up her own business, the Plaster Shop.  For the next 36 years, she shared her creativity with others by teaching porcelain doll making, plaster painting and stained-glass art.  Following the closing of her store in 2013, Barb found great joy in creating unique items to share at flea markets and other vender shows.  She became known for making sock monkeys, doll clothes, crocheting, and making the world’s greatest scrubbies. One of her most special creations was the breast cancer sock monkey that she lovingly shared with other breast cancer patients and survivors.  Barb participated in many craft shows, but always looked forward to her booth at the Clay County Fair where she shared some of her latest crocheted creations: characters from Harry Potter, Star Wars, Pokemon, and the Holy Nativity.

Barb was a member of the National Square Dance Camping Association taking many trips with her parents.  Some of her most memorable camping trips were to Michigan, Pennsylvania, Alaska, Colorado, Texas, Florida, New York and many others. She was also a lifetime member of the Avenue of Flags.  She served as the secretary until 2016 and always took time to listen to the family’s stories of their fallen veteran.  Barb was always up for a nasty game of Russian Rummy, Dirty Board or washer toss.  She loved meeting people at her shows, watching Star Wars, Star Trek, collecting troll dolls, but most of all, spending time with her family.  Barb touched many lives with her smile and loving, giving personality.

She was loved by many and will be missed by all who knew her. 

     Barb passed away at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD on Friday, August 30, 2019 at the age of 65.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her cats Abby, Topsy, Oscar and Sally.

     Left to cherish her memory are her brothers Rick (Nancy) Dean and Bob (Charlotte) Dean, her cousins Suzanne Clark (Cliff Harbour), Merrill (Irene) Clark, many nieces, nephews, friends and her cat Molly.

SERVICES

OFFICIATING

CASKET BEARERS

VISITATION

MUSIC

INTERMENT