Mr. Dean DeWeese

July 16, 1927 - September 11, 2019

Dean DeWeese was born to Karl and Lucille (Fallert) DeWeese on July 16, 1927 at Bassett, NE and was welcomed home by older brothers Gene, Max, Glen and half-sister Grace, where they lived on a farm for three years. Karl and Lucille later divorced, Dean and his mother moved to Long Pine, NE where she later married Elmer Randall. Through this union, Dean gained a half-sister Ione. He attended school at Long Pine, graduating in 1945. He joined the United States Army on December 13, 1945. He did his Basic Training at Camp Roberts, CA, Fort Ord, CA, and Fort Lawton, OK. After being stationed in several places, he was sent to Adak, Alaska in the Aleutian Islands from April 19 to December 20, 1946, where he was trained to watch for enemy planes. He then returned to Camp Beale, CA and was Honorably Discharged in January 1947, having served thirteen months as a Technician 5th Grade. After returning to Long Pine, Dean and his brother Glen started a Dray Business and later he went to work for Adam Schmidt on his ranch south of Long Pine, for about 2 years. It was during this time that Dean started spending time with Betty Sidak. After a year of courtship, they were married on April 25, 1948. To this union, three children were born, Dennis Dean, Sharon Jean and Bonnie Beth. They shared a loving marriage of 61 years. In April of 1949, they moved to Long Pine and in May, Dean started working for Seth Fritzler, owner of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company. After Seth’s passing, Dean was the manager for Evelyn Fritzler and later Jim Keenan. On January 1, 1971, Dean and Betty bought the distributorship from Jim Keenan and it was known as DeWeese Beverage, until December 1, 1989. Dean’s integrity and hard work ethics allowed Coca-Cola to flourish while he was part of it for 43 years, retiring in 1992. Dean and Betty enjoyed camping, fishing and were avid hunters, both gun and archery, while their kids were young. In their retirement years, they continued to camp and fish and enjoyed taking their grandchildren camping. They usually headed south in the winter for a few months to be “Snow Birds” and spend time with Betty’s brother and family. They spent their 25th wedding anniversary in Hawaii with family and traveled to numerous other places in the United States, seeing many of the fifty states together. They loved being in Laughlin, Nevada with Dean’s sister-in-law and husband, doing a little gambling. Dean enjoyed playing Keno, while Betty played the slots. They never missed a Country Music Festival at Ainsworth, Nebraska and also took their camper to Hastings and Fremont’s Music Festivals. Dean and Betty were great Husker fans and made their way to many of the Nebraska Husker football games in Lincoln and several bowl games, including the Fiesta Bowl, when the Huskers were National Champions. In 2002, they sold their home of 42 years in Long Pine and moved to Ainsworth, NE to downsize and be closer to doctors. They enjoyed going to sporting events and musical programs watching their grandchildren participate. In March of 2009, Dean lost the love of his life, when Betty joined her Heavenly Father. He moved to the Park Homes and was happy to have a smaller apartment. Not many people knew that one of his hobbies was crocheting. Dean loved to crochet making many afghans for each of his grandkids when they were born and also donating many to the Ainsworth Post Prom. He made ponchos, slippers, stocking caps, and nose warmers. (If you wanted something, he could usually figure it out.) He had a bright red scooter that got him around to the stores, Senior Center for lunch, and to visit family in town. When the weather was nice, you would see him out on the sidewalk along highway 20, sitting on his scooter, crocheting or reading a book. He was a John Wayne fan and loved all westerns, playing cards, cribbage, bingo and reading. He was at Park Homes until he became ill in October of 2016 and needed additional care. Dean entered the Sandhills Care Center in December and remained a resident until his passing. Dean was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was a lifetime member of the VFW, belonged to the Long Pine Legion, Odd Fellows, was on the Long Pine City Council, Long Pine School Board, and was on the Long Pine Volunteer Fire Department for over 35 years; but most of all, he loved being with his family, which brought him his most joy and happiness. After three weeks in the Brown County Hospital, Dean took his last breath and went to be with his Heavenly Father and his love, Betty on September 11, 2019. We know it was a time of rejoicing and celebration. Dean was preceded in death by his wife Betty; his parents; brothers, Gene (Bonnie) DeWeese, Glen (Dorothy) DeWeese, and Max (Donna) DeWeese; half sisters, Grace (Harry) Keller and Ione (Shorty) Mundorf. Parents-in-law, Walter (Lillian) Sidak and Lois (Walter) Sidak; brothers-in-law, Louis (Dora) Sidak, Gene Sidak, Charles Dewell, and Grandson, Shawn DeWeese. Dean is survived by his son, Dennis (Linda) DeWeese of Long Pine; daughters, Sharon (Jim) Findley of St. Paul, NE, and Bonnie (Bill) Richey of Ainsworth; eight grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Bonnie Dewell of Norfolk, NE, Lorraine Sidak of Mesa, AZ and step brother-in-law, Roger and wife Ruby Davis of Grand Island, NE and many nieces and nephews. Funeral Services were held September 18, 2019 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Ainsworth, with Pastor Georg Williams officiating the service. Music was provided by Sherry Campbell. The music selections of “I Won’t Have to Cross Jordan Alone“, and “Jesus Loves Me“, were sung by Pastor Georg Williams. “Grandpa” (which was a 1989 recording sung by Brittany Sears at the Country Music Festival) was played for the recessional. The obituary and special remarks were given by Dale Vetter. Pallbearers were Jory Daniels, Dane Sears, Curt Lewin, Shane Kinnick, Tim Joe, Greg Richey, Michael Richey, and Shawn DeWeese (Deceased). Honorary bearers were All of Dean’s Other Grandchildren, Great-Grandchildren, Great-Great-Grandchildren and Friends. Burial followed at the Bassett Memorial Park Cemetery in Bassett, Nebraska. Military Honors were provided by the Long Pine & Bassett American Legion Posts. Memorial donations are suggested to the Brown County Hospital, the Zion Lutheran Dorcas Society or the Long Pine Volunteer Fire Department. Hoch Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Memorial donations are suggested to the Brown County Hospital, the Zion Lutheran Dorcas Society or the Long Pine Volunteer Fire Department.