Dean Marshall Oberlander

A Funeral Service for Dean Marshall Oberlander will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at Prince of Peace Church in Gillette Wyoming with Rev. Dr. Eugene Zeller officiating. Interment at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery in Gillette Wyoming will follow the service with Military Honors by American Legion Post 42. 

Dean Marshall Oberlander was born on July 12, 1941, at home in Hettinger County, North Dakota to Benny and Donelda Oberlander. He passed away three days short of his 84th birthday on July 9, 2025. He was the oldest of five siblings, he graduated from Reeder High School in 1959. After high school he worked heavy construction for Schwartz and Oberlander. A career he would continue throughout his life. In 1961 he joined the United States Army and served his country until January 1963.

On February 17, 1965, he married Magdalena (Lena) Schmidt in Dickinson, North Dakota. Their sixty-year union welcomed three daughters, Anna, Sandy, and Janell. Their marriage took them from Belfield, North Dakota, to Lovell, Wyoming, Shirley Basin, Wyoming Medicine Bow, Wyoming, and finally Gillette, Wyoming in 1972, where he went to work for Amax Coal Company.

Dean spent his career working in the bentonite fields, uranium mines, coal mines, and cleared a lot of snow off roads leading to oil rig locations. Along the way he met many wonderful friends and helped build foundations for many subdivisions and buildings, including Indian Hills, Campbell County Hospital, and Bell Knob Golf Course. He was a true heavy equipment operator and loved the dirt. Later in his career, he transferred from Buckskin Mine, a mine where he put the first shovel into the ground and loaded the first bucket of dirt to open the pit, to Rochelle Mine so he could work on a dragline. The perfect way to retire.

Dean and Lena were also entrepreneurs and, in their spare time, started D and L Firewood, a firewood delivery business – which is the reason none of his children have wood burning fireplaces. Much time was spent on the Big Horns or above Sundance cutting wood they would deliver to many of their customers in and around Gillette. They added wood pellets to their business as time went by. Once they were ready to retire, the business was sold, and they went south!

Much time was enjoyed and spent with the Powder River Sams Club, where he took his turn serving as President. Over the years many camping trips were made to the Big Horns, Keyhole, the Black Hills, Lake DeSmet , and other wonderful places. Cards, dominos, and other activities always created many memories and stories the family got to hear along the way.

When they had enough snow, Arizona became the winter destination. Over twenty years of trips were made and unless there was a grandbaby due to arrive, they didn’t return until April. Just in time for Easter and taxes. Many wonderful friends from across the county and Canada were made over the years during their time in Yuma, Mesa, Casa Granda, Benson, and other winter warm locations.

Those who knew Dean, knew his determination and passion for living life. At age three he was run over by a tractor but survived. Over the years other health issues accumulated, ultimately leading him to the last few years of his life unable to walk. He never lost hope of walking again. Even on his last days, he believed he would walk again – and through death is whole.

Dean is survived by his wife, Lena. Daughters Anna (Roland Roberts), Sandy (Danny Hart), Janell (Steve Haefs). Nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, with one more great-grandchild due to arrive in January 2026. His sister Janine Haug (Shakopee, MN), Don and Rosemary Oberlander (Brandon, SD), and Jack and Pam Oberlander (Fargo, ND). Although he has gone to prepare the way, he will be missed by many.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Benny and Donelda Oberlander and his sister LaNell Honeyman.

The family has established a scholarship for students pursuing a career in Career and Technical Education at Gillette College. Donations may be made through the Gillette College Foundation.