Dean Richard Abbott

Dean Richard Abbott, age 94, of Ridgeway, Iowa, went home to be with the Lord on October 14, 2025, surrounded by his family at the Evans Memorial Home in Cresco, Iowa. Dean was born on April 7, 1931, in Big Creek Township, Iowa to Ward and Helen (Scott) Abbott. He was the first of fourteen children.
As a teenager, Dean accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and was active in the church youth group. He graduated from Geneseo High School in 1950. He attended Multnomah School of the Bible in Portland, Oregon, before returning to Iowa to help his Dad farm. He married Lois Ott in 1952 and had 6 children: four boys and two girls. After a short illness, Lois passed in 1983. In 1984, Dean married Alice (Woolworth) Abbott. Together they had two sons.
From his several years of farming, Dean became a huge John Deere fan. He especially loved his 1941 Model D John Deere. Dean also worked at Woolverton Printing Co. on the Heidelberg Offset Printing Presses. Over the years he and Alice enjoyed attending The Old Thresher Reunion where he ran the old Heidelberg offset printing press. Dean also started his own business painting houses. Over the years, Dean enjoyed growing and caring for his garden, especially his grapes. He dearly loved a bowl of ice cream before bed. No chocolate please!
Wherever he lived, Dean faithfully attended a Bible believing church serving as a teacher, deacon, trustee, and usher. His current home church was the Saratoga Community Church. He was usually the last to leave since he loved talking to people. He would often talk to people about the importance of everyone being ready for when Christ returns. Dean also prioritized going to Family Camp at Iowa Regular Baptist Camp as a yearly occurrence with his family.
In addition to his parents, Dean was preceded in death by his first wife Lois (Ott) Abbott, a son David Abbott, grandson Bailey Lane, and his brothers: Wendell, Loren and Bob.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Alice Abbott, his children: Dan (Dianne), Rick (Rose), Joy (Bob) Wright, Sonja (Stan) Brown, Royce (Charity), Chauncey (Stephanie), and Dwight. Surviving siblings include Ron (Judy), Barbara Neuendorf, Ralph (Karolynn), Coleen Poyner, Paul (Betty), Tim (Shirley), Beth (Roger) Fossum, Joyce Black, Doug (Rhonda), Tom (Phyllis), and sister-in-law Cheryl; twelve grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.