Dean Schoning

Dean L. Schoning, age 75 of Ruthven, Iowa (formerly of Milford, Iowa) passed away Friday, May 23, 2025, surrounded by his family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Milford.

Visitation will be held from 5:00- 7:00 PM, Friday, May 30, 2025, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford. At 7:00 PM, there will be a Rosary.

Dean Leroy Schoning, the son of Dale and Margene (Beving) Schoning, was born on February 28, 1950, in Spencer, Iowa. He grew up on a farm east of Fostoria, Iowa and received his education at the Meadow Country School #4 and Milford Elementary. He then attended Milford High School where he participated in football, basketball, track, and was active in 4-H & FFA. He graduated with the class of 1968. After high school Dean attended Iowa Lakes Community College and graduated in 1970 with an AAS in feed-fertilizer technology. He then began working at the Group 21 Feed Lot near Royal, Iowa.

On February 12, 1972, Dean was united in marriage to Susan M. Long at the St. Joseph Catholic Church of Milford, Iowa. The couple made their home in Milford and were blessed with one daughter, Heidi.

Dean began a lifelong career in livestock and crop farming after he got married. In the 1980’s he worked the night shift at Style Craft Furniture, Inc. in Milford while continuing to farm during the day. He also enjoyed helping at the Spencer Livestock Sale Barn on auction days. Dean farmed until his retirement in 2023 due to his cancer diagnosis.

In 2017 Dean and Sue purchased a home on Lost Island Lake near Ruthven, Iowa. They enjoyed spending time there on the weekends while farming during the week. In 2024, they sold their home in Milford and moved permanently to their lake home.

In his free time, Dean enjoyed not only watching sports but coaching them. He was a coach for his daughter’s softball and basketball teams from youth rec league all the way through high school. He served as a softball, girls basketball, and track coach at Okoboji for a number of years in the 1990s. He also enjoyed playing slow pitch softball when younger, golfing, and going fishing in northern Minnesota with his brothers. Dean was a former volunteer of the Milford Fire Department and past member of the Okoboji Booster Club.

Most recently, Dean enjoyed morning coffee time at The Corner Store, sitting on his patio watching the activity on the lake, and boating with his family. He treasured time spent with his family whether it was attending his grandchildren’s sporting events or dance recitals. Dean will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 53 years, Sue Schoning of Ruthven, IA; daughter Heidi (Bryan) Beck of Ida Grove, IA; grandchildren Taylor Beck of Ames, IA and Myles Beck of Ida Grove, IA; brothers Mike (Cindy) Schoning of Milford, IA and Jay Schoning of Ruthven, IA; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Dale and Margene Schoning; in-laws Francis and Edith Long; and brother Joel Schoning.