Dean Edward Smith

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Dean Edward Smith, 76, of Allen, died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025 at the Wakefield Health Care Center in Wakefield.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30 at Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield, with a prayer service starting at 7 p.m.  The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in rural Concord. Burial with military honors will be in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural Concord.  

Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation.  

Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield.   

Dean Edward Smith was born July 20, 1948, in Wayne to Desmond and Martha Smith. He was the fourth of fourteen children. Dean was raised on the family farm and spent his entire life in the Allen area. He was baptized, confirmed, and a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, rural Concord, Nebraska and attended school at Allen Consolidated Schools. 

In 1967, Dean enlisted in the United States Army, where he trained to become an Airborne Infantryman. He completed two tours of duty in Vietnam as a member of a reconnaissance team, The Roadrunners. His bravery earned him several honors, including a Bronze Star for Valor and three Purple Hearts. After returning home from war, Dean worked on a ranch in western Nebraska, Dixon County Feedlot, and then on a farm near Allen. In 1983, Dean started working for M.G. Waldbaum Co, then Michael Foods, delivering semi loads of products nationwide. He retired in 2013.

 Dean married Marlene Gronewold on Jan. 26, 1974 in George, Iowa. They made a home in Allen and had three children. Dean loved spending time with his family when he wasn’t trucking, and many vacations were spent fishing in Minnesota and hunting on the family farm. He also enjoyed collecting coins. There was never a dull moment if Dean was around. He loved to tease people and always had a joke for every situation. Dean had a heart of gold and would do whatever he could to help a friend, neighbor, or loved one. 

Dean was a family man and loved to talk about his children and later in life his grandchildren. He was proud of their accomplishments and in his own way let them know how dearly he loved each of them. Dean was a charter member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5435 and a member of the American Legion Post 131 for over 50 years. He took pride in being a veteran and enjoyed the reunions he was able to attend with his platoon brothers.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Desmond and Martha Smith; brothers, Richard, Desmond Jr., Terry, Alan, Robert and Douglas; sister, Marsha; parents-in-law, Heye and Inez Gronewold; brother-in-law, William Micek; sister-in-law, Tonia Smith, and infant daughter, LaVonne Marie.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Marlene Smith; daughter, Kelli Smith; son, Bradley Smith; grandsons, Aidan Smith and Ethan Smith; granddaughter, Kaitlyn Smith; brothers, Lin (Mary Lou) Smith, Randal Smith, Dennis (Theresa) Smith; sisters, Christine Micek, June (Bob) Grovesnor, and Michelle (Jeff) Heinemeyer; sisters-in-law, Gayle Smith, Mickey Smith, Susan Smith, Elayne (Mike) House, Janet Denekas; many cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.