Dean I. Rote

Dean I. Rote, son of James Irvin Rote and Ella Mae Eveland Rote, was born December 5, 1919 in Jefferson, Iowa, and died April 29, 2011 at the Dallas County Hospital, Perry, Iowa, at the age of 91 years, 4 months, 24 days. A celebration of his life service was held at1:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at Hastings Funeral Home in Perry, Iowa. The Reverend Ray Bettis of Church of God, Knoxville, Iowa, provided the words of comfort. His honorary bearers were Julie Kinkennon, Terri Putney, Michael Sheehy, Scott Sheehy, Brian Rote, Alison Rote, Melissa Rote, Haylee Rote, and Bobby Culp. The music was The Old Rugged Cross, Daddy's Hands, Heaven Isn't So Far Away and If I Had To Do It Over Again. The American Flag presentation was handled by Mr. Ray Bettis, Chaplin American Legion Post 165. Indianola, Iowa. Dean was born on a farm near Jefferson and rode his horse to rural school. When young, he moved to Oklahoma to live with his sister, and Dean graduated from Hobart High School. He enlisted in the Navy, serving during WWII from 1942 to 1944. He later enlisted for the Korean Conflict and served in the Navy from 1950 to 1952. Dean was an excellent swimmer and saved a Navy mate's life and later his daughter's life. On September 29, 1952, Dean married Phyllis Sue Bales. They lived in Phoenix, Arizona from 1952 to 1962 where he wired schools for Culver Electronics. Dean could fix anything. The family lived in Des Moines for a few years before living on the farm and leased out the land. He owned and operated Dean Rote's Appliance Repair. Dean worked for Don's T.V., Oscar Mayer, Capital Complex in Des Moines, retiring in1985. Dean was known as a doer, and he found gardening to be soothing, comforting and enjoyable. His daughter fondly remembers coming home, finding her well tended garden, thanks to Dad. His family was all important to him. Dean enjoyed camping, traveling and was faithful to attend his ship reunions every year. Having served on the USS Kadashan Bay and the USS William H. Seiverling, Dean and Phyllis had two reunions to attend each year. He also had his pilot's license and loved to fly. Dean was preceded in death by his parents; his son Bill Rote; grandson Dean Grabill; brothers Cecil, Homer and Ted Rote; sister Anna Harvey and sister-in-law Virginia Fenimore. He is survived by and will be deeply missed by his wife Phyllis; children: Linda Grabill (Harvey) of Minburn, IA; Thomas Dean Rote of Harrisburg, Missouri; Kathryn Sheehy of Beaverdale, IA; Beverly Ozbun (Russ) of Perry, IA; and Matthew Dean Rote of Perry, IA; nine grandchildren: Julie Kinkennon; Terri Putney (Joe); Michael Sheehy; Scott Sheehy; Brian Rote; Alison Rote; Melissa Rote; Haylee Rote; and Bobby Culp (Robbi). Dean is also survived by his great grandchildren; Sadee Whitfield, Nicole Bettis (Jeff); Kylie Kinkennon; Brenten Sheehy-Graves; Kayla Riney; Brooke and Hollywood Grabill; Chad, Jeff, and Lisa Culp; Cassandra Wiles (Jim); Cody Putney; great-great grandchildren: Emma Bettis, Charlie Wiles and Owen Putney; sister Victoria Taylor of Oklahoma; sister-in-law Geneva Rote of Earlham, IA and Donna Sterrett (Max) of Phoenix, AZ; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Memorial in the families name may be sent to Hastings Funeral Home in Perry.