Dean DePauw

1949 - 2020

DePauw, Dean Clayton Matthew

SUN PRAIRIE/PRAIRIE DU CHIEN/LUVERNE, Minn./MADISON - Dean Clayton Matthew DePauw, better known as "Opa" or "Deano," age 71, passed on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020, at his home in Prairie du Chien, Wis. He was born Jan. 6, 1949, in Luverne, Minn., the ninth child of 13 children to Albert and Cora "Lorraine" (Irwin) DePauw. Dean grew up in Luverne and Ash Creek, Minn. He was a proud graduate of Luverne High School, class of 1967.

Dean was a free-spirited, small-town, Southwestern Minnesota boy who loved music, family, and the outdoors. His love for music started in his youth; he could be found at Valley Springs, Hatfield, Minn., or later in life at Jimmy Buffett concerts.

Dean met his bride-to-be, Caryn Lee Arnold, during the summer of '68, at Blue Mound State Park, Luverne, Minn. Soon after, Dean was assigned to Fort Sill Oklahoma as a PV1, where he began his service to his country, serving in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1971. Prior to being honorably discharged, he earned the rank of Army RA SIG SP5. Dean was extremely proud of his service to his country as a radio operator, where his role took them to Germany.

During his service Dean was awarded the National Defense Service Medal & Good Conduct Medal. One of his proudest military accomplishments was earning a medal for Expert Marksmanship on the M14 and SS M16 platforms.

Dean loved his children and his pride and joy were his five grandchildren. As a father and a grandfather, Dean always loved the holidays with his family, no matter the distance or time of year. Being the favorite brother to 12 siblings and a favorite uncle to over 100 nieces and nephews was not an easy feat. A firm but fair man, Dean was always quick to open his home to a family member in need.

He is survived by his two children, Chad (Kari) DePauw of Darlington and Tara (Jeff) Swalve of Waunakee; five grandchildren, Hunter, Cade, and Taylor Swalve, and Addison and Piper DePauw; Caryn Olyver, mother of his children; brother, Denny (Julia) DePauw of Jacksonville, Fla.; two sisters, Sheila (Steve) Kluever of Worthington, Minn., and Burdette (Maxine) DePauw of McHenry, Ill.; and two sisters-in-law, Barb DePauw of Huron, S.D., and Joyce DePauw of Sioux Falls, S.D. He loved and cherished them all.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Loraine DePauw; his nine siblings, Delores (Delmore) Kasemodel, Eileen Roemeling, Albert DePauw, Keith (Dorla) DePauw, Delbert DePauw, Dale (Reva) DePauw, Marlys (Don) Engel, Darrel "Butch" DePauw and Carol (Charlie) Henderson; and his sister-in-law, Carol DePauw.

A Catholic Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at SACRED HEARTS OF JESUS AND MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 229 Columbus St., Sun Prairie, with Father Lawrence Oparaji presiding. A visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church on Wednesday. Following the service, a presentation of the American Flag and service of military taps will be performed at the VFW in Sun Prairie, to honor Dean's military service. Dean will be laid to rest in his hometown of Luverne, Minn., in the coming spring of 2021. To view the Mass via livestream, please visit Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/shjmp/.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, and to honor Dean's life, the family has requested any gifts be made to the Dean DePauw Military Honor Fund: By clicking the GoFundMe.

Check – made out to Chad DePauw DDMHF, mail to:

Chad DePauw

215 S. Century Ave #160

Waunakee, WI 53597

Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral & Cremation

Sun Prairie (608) 837-5400

www.newcomerfh.com