Elizabeth Dean

Our mother, Elizabeth Frances Dean, went to be with God on October 25, 2015. She passed away surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eva Kundrat Lagemann and Michael Kundrat, brothers John Kundrat, Michael Kundrat, Maurice Mangold, and Robert Mangold, nephew William Kundrat, and her husband, William George Dean. She is survived by her brother, Andrew Kundrat, son William George Dean, Jr., (Susan), and daughters Susan Reinders (Mark), Leslie Kniedler (Greg), and Erin Hammonds (Jeffrey); grandchildren Chris Reinders(Missy), Jessica Hiestand (Robert), Christopher Dean, Lauren Dean, Thomas Kniedler(Kayla), and Matthew Kniedler; great grandchildren Miriam Hiestand, Rachel Hiestand, Clark Reinders, and Willow Reinders.

Elizabeth was born on July 15, 1933, in Bronx, New York, the only daughter of the 5 children of Eva and Michael Kundrat. She was feisty and tough, having to contend with 4 brothers and growing up in New York City. She met her husband, Bill Dean, through her brother, John. They fell in love and married in January of 1953, thus beginning her career as a Navy wife and eventually a mother of 4. She traveled many places, including Cuba, when Dad was stationed there during the Missile Crisis. Mom would secretly provide food, clothing, and medicines to our Cuban friends when they were having difficulty getting the basic necessities. Her and Dad's compassion and generosity did not go unnoticed. Letters were written by those they helped to the Department of the Navy to allow them to stay in Cuba as ambassadors, but the Navy had other plans.

Mom's first adventure as a Navy wife brought her to Newport, Rhode Island, in 1953, where her first three children, Billy, Susie, and Leslie were born. From there, she went with Dad to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where adventures awaited, including being evacuated to Norfolk, Virginia, during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Another change in orders sent them to Mayport Naval Air Station in Mayport, Florida, for a couple of years. There she was confronted with a couple of major hurricanes, all occurring while Dad was away at sea. She was strong and tough and she taught us to be the same. The Navy intervened again and the family returned to Newport, Rhode Island, where our family of 5 became a family of 6 with the birth of her fourth child, Erin, in 1967. That was also the year that Dad retired from the Navy. Mom's civilian life began when we moved to Wheaton, Maryland. We stayed there for about 2 years, and eventually moved to Coral Springs, Florida in 1969.

Mom and Dad quickly took root and bought our very first house in Coral Springs. Mom became very involved in our parish, St. Andrew Catholic Church as the parish bookkeeper, where she worked for 17 years and took care of each priest as they were assigned, welcoming them into the parish and our family. She had a way of making them, and anyone feel at home, so much so that they had a standing invitations on Wednesday and Sunday nights, and they always came.

Mom was also very supportive of her children's endeavors, whether it was soccer (she was one of the original SOCCER MOMS, to Erin, especially), music, whatever our activities, Mom was there. Through all the bumps, broken bones, scares, relationship problems, Mom was there to help pick up the pieces and ease the hurt. She had such a soft side, but oh, when the tough side came out, well...¦let's just say she could make you think you did something wrong (even though you didn't) just by saying "I want to talk to you later"Â. We all use that tactic with our own kids to this day. Her friends became family and her children's friends became adopted daughters and sons. Her humor always prevailed ( It had to, she was married to Dad. Humor was a prerequisite!), and as one of her favorite adopted daughters claimed, "She (Mom) is my favorite sit-down comedienne!"

Mom's family was so important to her that after Dad died in 1982, she and Erin would eventually move to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to be closer to family in Chattanooga and Marietta, Georgia. We had many happy times together, especially the holidays and beach vacations, World Cup trips and the Atlanta Olympic Games. While we were growing up, Mom and Dad always made Christmases memorable, while always instilling in us the true meaning in our celebrations was the birth of Christ. Even when Dad lost his job, it was still a bright and joyful time for us; they never letting us think that something was wrong. Mom's faith was strong and unwavering. Her faith in God helped her through many tough times and she transferred that to us, her children.

In 1998, Erin, the baby of the family, got married and moved to Kingwood, Texas with her husband, Jeff. Mom would eventually move to Kingwood and begin another chapter in her life. Mom was very independent, yet sometimes she could be very vulnerable, especially when ill. Erin was close by and the rest of us only a plane ride or a day's drive away. Mom instilled in us the importance of being there for each other.

We hope we were there for you, Mom, through all of this. We love you and we always will. Our greatest comfort now is that you are in the healing arms of God, and that you are reunited with those whom you lost while on this earth; your 4 brothers, Grandma, Grandpa, your precious Zoey, and especially Daddy. There will be an emptiness in our hearts, but that emptiness will be filled with our memories of you and our family together. Rest now in God's peace, Mom. We love you. A memorial mass was held October 29, 2015 at St. Martha Catholic Church.

For more information about the life of Elizabeth, to sign the online register book, or to offer your condolences or fond memories of Elizabeth to the family, please visit DarstFuneralHome.com