Dean Drexel

1943 - 2024

Dean Drexel

June 3, 1943 - October 1, 2024

Dean Drexel of Bettendorf, Iowa, passed away October 1, 2024. Dean was born June 3, 1943, in Chicago, Ill., the son of Frank and Olga Trulli Drexel. He grew up in Harvard, Ill. with his older sister, Sandy. They lived above and worked in the family drugstore. He graduated from Harvard High School, received his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Northern Illinois University DeKalb, Ill., and an MBA from St. Ambrose Davenport, Iowa. While in college, he married Patricia Hahn from Markham, Ill. They had two daughters, Jennifer and Sara, before Pat passed away from cancer. In July of 1977, Dean married Connie Pyse of Dixon, Ill. who later adopted the girls and helped Dean raise them as her own.

After graduating, Dean began a 40-plus year career in behavioral health in Dixon, Ill. holding a variety of positions: Lutheran Social Services, Department of Children and Family Services, Nursing Home Administrator at Dixon Development Center, and Psychiatric Program Director at KSB Hospital. Dean began working at Vera French Community Mental Health Center in 1984 as Program Director at Pine Knoll Davenport, Iowa. He coordinated a community wide task force study, which led to the formation of Vera French Housing Cooperation in 1994. These sites provided independent, safe and affordable housing for persons with mental illness. He served as their first Executive Director until he retired in 2011. He continued involvement with Vera French Center serving on its board of directors. Dean was also actively involved with the local affiliate of National Alliance on Mental Illness serving on its board and development committees.

Dean liked to stay mentally and physically active, studying the Bible and keeping up with current events. He exercised and went to the pool regularly with his best friend and life coach, Connie. Though not fond of Iowa winters he enjoyed the warmer months when he could do landscaping and keeping his lawn looking like Wrigley Field. He was an accomplished grill master using a hybrid Weber charcoal grill. We often heard him say, "It takes two beers until the brats are going to be done." We never knew if the beer was going on the brat or he was drinking it.

Dean has two granddaughters and two grandsons. Visits were taken up with watching them in sporting or honor events, orchestra, dance recitals, horse shows or religious events. Dean was the one with the biggest grin and cheering the loudest!

Dean is survived by his wife, Connie, of 47 years; daughters, Jennifer Ernsteen of Buffalo Grove, Ill., Sara (Joel) Verwers of Kansas City, Mo.; sister, Sandy (Ted) Pappas of Golden, Colo.; granddaughters, Payton and Lauren Ernsteen of Buffalo Grove, Ill.; grandsons, Nicholas and Jake Verwers of Kansas City, Mo.; several brother and sister-in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, and in-laws.

A celebration of his life will be held at Asbury United Methodist Church, 1809 Mississippi Blvd, Bettendorf, Iowa on Friday, October 11, 2024. Visitation at 10 a.m., memorial service at 11 a.m. followed by lunch.

Memorials may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church Parish Nurses Ministry, where he had been a longtime member, or Clarissa Cook Hospice House where he spent the last few months of his life.