In loving memory of

Dean Zielske
November 26, 1932 - November 10, 2014

Dean Zielske, 81 of Swea City died Monday at the Fairmont Medical Center in Fairmont, MN.
Funeral services will be 10:30 am Friday at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Swea City with Pastor Rusty Bailey officiating.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7:00 pm Thursday at the church.
Dean E. Zielske, son of Alfred and Lois (Mayne) Zielske, born November 26, 1932 in a farmhouse in Grant Township Kossuth County IA.
Dean spent his young formidable years in and around northern Kossuth County graduating Grant School in 1951. After graduation Dean enlisted in the U.S. Army in the summer of 1953, where he became a ski patrol instructor and a tank armor trainer. Receiving an Honorable Discharge in the summer of 1955, Dean returned home to seek out his beloved in life. One Saturday night, low and behold Dorothy Zierke appeared before him ending his search. Dean set out to win her heart and within a few months they were wed in the Methodist parsonage in Swea City, IA. on March 4, 1956. Please note this was while her parents were visiting her sister in Rochester, MN. Dean and Dorothy settled in Swea City and Dean went to work at the local hatchery while Dorothy pondered the idea of raising Arabian horses. Dean moved on to become Assistant Manager of what became Cargill where he would spend 30+ years. During this time Dean and Dorothy bread and showed Arabian champions throughout the mid-west and as far reaching as Scottsdale, AZ. In his first retirement Dean filled his days delivering parts for Brand FX, finally conceding to full retirement status in 2007. As a proud community member, Dean served as Co-Chair for the Swea City Centennial, he was on the board of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, he spent 45+ years as a firefighter, he was a member of the Historical Society, and 26-year member of the American Legion Post 14. Dean also participated annually in the "Old Settlers" Grant reunions.
Left to cherish Dean' s memory are his wife of 58 years, Dorothy (Zierke) Zielske of Swea City and his children: Mark and his partner Rene of Swea City; Wendy of Bremerton, WA; Mitch and his wife Rhonda of Swea City; nieces, nephews and numerous other relatives. We certainly welcome you to take a moment and cherish your memories of Dean with us.

Tributes

M Jones wrote on Nov 30, 2014:

"I am sorry for your loss please accept my sincere condolences. I hope you will find your strength and comfort in Jesus promises of the earthly resurrection(:Acts 24:15) and the renewed Paradise earth, where death will be no more and no family will have to mourn the death of a loved ever again. Revelation 21:3,4; Luke 23:43. May GOD(Psalms 83:18) grant you peace and comfort now during this grievous time.-Matthew 5:4."

Paul and Cheryl Beenken wrote on Nov 14, 2014:

"Dear Mitch and Family, So sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. Our prayers and sympathy go out to your family. Paul and Cheryl Beenken"

Vincent Engelby wrote on Nov 14, 2014:

"Worked with Dean at Swea City Hatchery. Was a friendly, enjoyable person. Been years since we have been in touch. Condolences to family."

Cairne Eytcheson wrote on Nov 14, 2014:

"Dean was a wonderful man. Spent many days having short visits with him. He loved to share about his family, horses and farming. Thoughts and prayers for his entire family. You will miss him and I am sure you have many wonderful memories of him to cherish."

Wayne Thompson wrote on Nov 14, 2014:

"Dorothy and family One can never say Dean without saying Dorothy. When seeing Dean when I didn't have a smile, he would give me one. Your in my thoughts and prayers, we've had a lot of pleasant memories."

Dee Kennedy wrote on Nov 13, 2014:

"Dorothy, so sorry to hear of Dean's passing. Thoughts and prayers are with you and the family"

Casey Serafin wrote on Nov 13, 2014:

"Although I never had the pleasure of meeting Dean or his wife in person, I have heard many a story from their daughter Wendy who I love dearly. From my family to yours, we send our deepest sympathies and prayers."

Evy-Ann wrote on Nov 13, 2014:

"Dean was like a grandfather to my daughters. He was a sweet, kind man and we will all miss him. We shared a lot of laughs. My thoughts are prayers are with all of his family."

marshall swanson wrote on Nov 13, 2014:

"I grew up next door to where Dean & Dorothy lived. My parents were Leonard & Freda Swanson. I'm sure he is at peace now forever. He always seemed a polite fella. My prayers for the family"

Brenda Hagedorn wrote on Nov 13, 2014:

"Sure gonna miss the old far had a lot of fun workin with him at brand fx. Whenever he seen me he would always come over hit me in the arm an say hey Beadle how's it going"

Anita Anderson Grant wrote on Nov 12, 2014:

"What a blessing to have known Dean ...but one can hardly think of Dean without Dorothy. Arabian horses brought about our friendship back in the late 50's and has continued to the present. This world has lost a very special man in Dean Zielske and we will all treasure the memories we have of him. Anita Anderson Grant"

Natasha Campbell (Newquist) wrote on Nov 12, 2014:

"Dorothy and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time."

Jason Faber wrote on Nov 12, 2014:

"Dorothy, Mitch, and Mark I was so sorry to read of Deans passing. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. I enjoyed working with Dean when he operated our West fertilizer plant and our conversations about alfalfa and straw prices. He will be missed."

nancy shoenhair st.clair wrote on Nov 12, 2014:

"Wendy, so sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. My heart is with you... nancy shoenhair st.clair"