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Dean Tabke

Dean F. Tabke, 88, from Montrose, SD, passed away on August 3, 2017 at Tieszen Memorial Home in Marion.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 11 at 1 pm at Kinzley Funeral Home in Salem (www.kinzleyfh.com).

Dean Frederick Tabke, the son of Fred and Anne Tabke, was born December 2, 1928 at Moville, Iowa.

Dean grew up on the farm near Moville, where he developed his love of farming and livestock production.

He was active in 4-H and showed cattle and horses at various stock shows.  He graduated from Climbing Hill (Iowa) High School in 1946 and began farming with his father in the Moville area.

He was married to Helen Richardson in 1951 and to this union Mike and Paula were born.

Dean served in the U.S. Army from 1951 – 1953. He was stationed in Korea during the Korean conflict.

Dean was always involved with livestock and worked at the Sioux City Stockyards in the 1950’s.  In 1960, they  relocated to Canistota, South Dakota, where he managed a farming and cattle feed yard for the Ortman family.

Dean married Janet Hirsig in 1981. They resided in Gillette & Buffalo, Wyoming, where he worked in the oil fields as a truck driver.

Dean and Jan had retired on an acreage near Montrose, South Dakota, where he loved working with his cow and calf herd.  Dean had been a resident of Tieszen Memorial Home since May 9, 2017.

Dean’s family thanks you for your support.  We will forever hold his memory close to heart and strive to live our lives with the adventurous, independent spirit that Dean exemplified his entire life.

Dean is survived by his wife, Janet of Montrose; children Mike (Susan) of Midway, UT; Paula (Ron) Ensz of Belle Fourche, SD; and Sam (Ramona) Tabke of Duncan, OK; a stepdaughter, Kaylea (Val) Dillie of Rozet, WY; grandchildren Drew (Mia) Tabke; Kristin Tabke (Jason); Stuart, Liz, and Margo Ensz; step-grandchildren Brandy Marshall and Brad (Melanie) Dillie; four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Kathy Krueger of Spirit Lake, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Margaret Christensen and Shirlene Stubbs; a brother, Raymond; and brothers-in-law Bob Christensen, Don Stubbs and Gene Krueger.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to an honorable charity of your choice.

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