Obituary of Kenneth Vernon Dean

Kenneth Vernon Dean born 2 September, 1924, Rama Saskatchewan deceased 25 February 2016, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The family of Kenneth Vernon Dean are saddened to announce his passing at the age of 91 years. Left to mourn are his children Bill (Debi Dubé), Tim (Lorraine Prefontaine), Marylee, and Janet (Todd Lawley). Grandchildren Jason, Angélique, Aimée (Ryan Gay), Erica, Graham, Lia, Parker, Anna and Davis; Great-grandchildren Wil, Austin, Brooke, Sydnea, Jasmine, Portia, Ireland, Hayden, Matthew and Drew, brothers Jim (Polly) and Neil, sisters-in-law Merle Dean, Mary Osiowy, Margret Haughian, Bea Haughian, Rosemarie Haughian, brother-in-law Bill Haughian (Gabrielle). Ken was pre-deceased by his wife Rita in 2011, his brothers David (Doreen) and Donald, triplets at birth (two sisters Rosalie and Madge and a brother Clare), sister-in-law Grace (Neil) Dean brothers- in- law Frank, Dick and Jerry Haughian, and Jim Osiowy. His sister-in-law Therese Helland passed away on February 27. Ken was born in his family’s farmhouse south of Rama, Saskatchewan in 1924, one of five boys (David, Donald, Jim, Neil). The homestead remains in the Dean family to this day. At the age of 19 in 1943 he enlisted in the Canadian Army and served his country during the Second World War, including time in England, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. One of his proudest memories was returning to the Netherlands with other Canadian Veterans to honour the contribution of Canadian forces in the liberation of the Netherlands. Upon his return to Canada after the war, Ken completed his high school education by correspondence course and then enrolled in the College of Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan, graduating in 1953. After a brief career with John Deere, Ken started a wholesale farm equipment distribution company based in Saskatoon; Dean Distributors Limited. He also served as President of the North American Farm Equipment Wholesalers Association. Ken completed his career working in the field of rural economic development with Government of Saskatchewan. Ken’s proudest achievements were related to his work in helping Saskatchewan businesses grow and develop their products and services, particularly agricultural machinery manufactures and retailers. Ken met Rita in 1948 while working as a summer student near Herbert Saskatchewan. They were married in 1951 and enjoyed a happy and loving 60 year marriage, until Rita’s passing in 2011. As time passed, she remained alive in his heart and he spoke of her often. Family was above all in his life. He was an enthusiastic promoter of family reunions and loved nothing better than being surrounded by his family, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ken was a caring person who always made those around him feel better. He was charming and possessed an endearing sense of humor. He was passionate about music. A self-taught guitarist and singer who was a longtime supporter and member of barbershop quartets and choirs in Saskatoon. He was gifted with a fine sense of pitch; one of the few things that frustrated him was having to perform with a slightly out of tune piano or instrument. His love of music endured throughout his life. As a young soldier in World War II he discovered that the lyrics from Vera Lynn’s 1942 recording of Blue Birds Over the White Cliffs of Dover, perfectly summed up his dream for a better world. Those words were often repeated and stayed with him to his final days; “…There’ll be love and laughter/ and peace ever after/ tomorrow/ when the world is free…” Ken’s family would like to express their gratitude to his helpers at Preston Park I, his caregivers and Recreational Staff at Sherbrooke Veterans Village and the outstanding, caring people at Home Instead (Rick, Charlene, Audrey).