Dean Howard Roe

Dean Howard Roe passed away Monday, February 9, 2026, while on Hospice at Froedtert Hospital in West Bend.

Dean was born on August 21, 1934, in Whitewater, Wisconsin to Wilfred and Virginia (nee Howard) Roe. He attended the Spring Brook School in Lima Township, Rock County, Wisconsin. He then went to Whitewater High School graduating in 1952. He was in the FBLA, FFA (Pres.), participated in two musicals, was in choir, on the track team, and was in the Octet singing group. In 1952 as a senior, he was awarded the American Legion award, the DeKalb award, and achieved the FFA State Farmer Degree.

Dean attended the University of Wisconsin - River Falls, graduating in 1960 with a degree in History and Broad Area Social Studies as well as a degree in Chemistry. Prior to this, Dean was a Chemical Laboratory Technician and then a Metallurgy Laboratory Technician for Minneapolis Honeywell from 1955-1958. He taught Chemistry, Biology and Science. He also coached track and football in the Winner South Dakota High School System. His track team went to the state meet in 1961 where they dominated the mile relay event.

In 1961, the Roe Family moved 700 miles east to Kewaskum, Wisconsin. There Dean taught American and World History, Economics, and various Social Studies for 30 years before retiring in 1991. He was also the Social Studies Department Chairperson in Kewaskum, Wisconsin for approximately 25 years. He served as a past president of the Kewaskum Education Association and was also a Mentor Teacher at the Kewaskum High School. Dean served the North Central certification procedure in Kewaskum as well as other high schools in Wisconsin. Dean was for many years, an adviser to the Junior Class and the American Field Service (AFS) local organization.

Dean wrote the history of the Kewaskum Aluminum Company, as his thesis while attending the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh in 1971. He received his master's degree in 1972. Prior to that, Dean attended one quarter at the University of Minnesota - Minneapolis and one quarter at Stetson University in Deland, Florida.

Dean married Colleen Adaire Ingli, daughter of Irvin & Evelyn (nee Borchert) Ingli on November 27, 1954, at the Martell Methodist Church in Martell, Wisconsin. They are the parents of Patricia Roe, who is a retired teacher that taught in the area of Special Education and Sign Language.

Dean wrote the following genealogies: Swiss Family Rothenberger, Pioneer Farmers of Wisconsin, Seven Generations in America, and Related families - Borchert, Breseman, Dix, etc. Dean's two trips to Switzerland (Colleen's favorite trip) were such great experiences.

Dean has compiled a very extensive genealogy of the Roe Family and related branches which can be found on Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.com, and FamilyTreeMaker.com. This was a product of his interest in history and storytelling of the lives of his Dutch, German, Norwegian, Irish, French, Scottish, and English ancestors who settled in America in the 1620's and later.

Dean and Colleen have enjoyed several winter vacations to Arizona, Nevada, California, Texas, Florida, as well as Minnesota, where they owned a second home for seven years. This home was located near their daughter, Patricia, in Worthington, Minnesota.

Dean has served as a trustee on the Kewaskum United Church of Christ Consistory and has served on the Planning Commission for the Township of Kewaskum. He worked summers for over a dozen years for the Wisconsin DNR in the northern unit of the Kettle Moraine as Patrol Officer/Campmaster. He is a past member of the Worthington, Minnesota Kiwanis organization and the Kewaskum Lions Club.

Dean was a special kind, caring, and gentle person. He was never selfish and always saw the best in everyone. He will be missed.

Dean is survived by his loving wife, Colleen Roe; a loving daughter, Patricia (Trish) Roe; a brother, Donald (Mary) Roe; sister-in-law, Rita (Wayne) Hojem; [sister-in-law, Wanda Olson - passed away 2/11/2026]; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Dean was preceded in by his parents, Wilfred and Virginia Roe Sr; his brother, Wilfred Roe Jr; and sister, Judith Triebold; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Irvin and Evelyn Ingli; brothers and sisters-in-law, Marie Roe, Karen Roe, Ted Olson, Shirley and Jim Brown, Ralph and Joan Ducklow and Richard Triebold.

VISITATION:  Dean’s family will greet relatives and friends on Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at Peace United Church of Christ, 343 1st St, Kewaskum, WI 53040.

SERVICE: A celebration of Dean’s life will take place at 11:00 a.m. at Peace United Church of Christ, also on Saturday, March 14.

Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Dean’s arrangements. Additional information and guest book can be found at www.myrhum-patten.com.