Dean Conklin
Dean Conklin, age 92, of Winthrop, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at the Good Samaritan Society in Winthrop. Memorial service will be Saturday, April 23, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winthrop with interment in the Winthrop Cemetery. Gathering of family and friends will be Friday, April 22, 2022, from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. and will continue one hour prior to the service, ALL at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winthrop. Military Honors by the Winthrop Honor Guard. Memorials preferred to Ridgeview Hospice, Shriners Children’s Hospital or the tree fund for the Winthrop Cemetery. Clergy officiating will be Pastor Erik Karlson. Organist: Eric Larson Eulogy grandsons, Adam Alsleben and Sean Plemmons. Congregational hymns will be “In The Garden”, “Borning Cry”, and “Battle Hymn Of The Republic.” Flag bearer will be Brad Conklin. Urn bearer will be Steve Saxton. Dean is survived by his:children, Martha Alsleben and her husband, Randy of New London, MN, Paul Conklin and his wife, Jean of Wheeler, WI, Bradley Conklin and his wife, Suzi of Anchorage, AK, Blair Conklin and his wife, Gwen of River Falls, WI, and Lori Plemmons and her husband, Dale of North Mankato, MN; 12 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; sisters, Yvonne Goodwater of Spokane, WA, and Arlene Howe of Racine, WI; sister-in-law, Sally Conklin of Wheeler, WI; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Roger and Leona Conklin; wife, Marilyn Conklin; brother, Roger Conklin; and brothers-in-law, Gilbert Goodwater and Dean Howe. Dean Ross Conklin was born on June 15, 1929, in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He was the son of Roger and Leona (Danekas) Conklin. Dean was baptized as an infant and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth at the Methodist Church in New Hartford, Iowa. He received his education in New Hartford and was a graduate of the New Hartford High School Class of 1947. Dean furthered his education at the University of Minnesota, earning his Bachelor’s Degree in agricultural education. On December 5, 1951, Dean entered active military service and served his country in the United States Air Force as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician (EOD). He received the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Dean was Honorable Discharged on December 4, 1955, having achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. On August 2, 1952, Dean was united in marriage to Marilyn Mastain in Waterloo, Iowa. After their marriage, the couple resided in Spokane, Washington, while he was in the United States Air Force. Later they lived in St. Paul and Rochester before moving to Winthrop in 1964. Dean owned and operated Conklin Nursery for 25 years. He was also the ag teacher in Winthrop for 24 years. Dean and Marilyn were blessed with five children, Martha, Paul, Bradley, Blair and Lori. They shared 57 years of marriage when Marilyn passed away on February 21, 2010. Dean was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winthrop, the Shriners, Masonic Lodge #209 and ESGR (Employer, Support, Guard and Reserve). Dean enjoyed gardening, driving his little Corvette for the Shriners in parades, taking people to Children’s Hospital, having coffee at Hahn’s, and visiting with everyone. When he needed assistance with his daily care, Dean became a resident of the Winthrop Good Samaritan Society on February 4. 2022, and passed away there on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at the age of 92 years. Blessed be his memory. Arrangements by Dalin-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Winthrop, Minnesota. Online obituaries and guest book available at www.hantge.com<http://www.hantge.com/>
