Marylou Irene Dean

MaryLou Irene (Klemesrud) Dean, age 91, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 8:00 PM. MaryLou, commonly referred to as “Lou” and in earlier years, “Klemie,” was born March 20, 1933 in Osage, Iowa. She was the third daughter of Clarence and Gladys (Maakestad) Klemesrud. Lou attended Rudd Consolidated Schools and was a member of Rock Creek Lutheran Church where she was confirmed on May 25, 1947. The family continued to farm in the Meroa area of Mitchell County until 1947 when they moved to Osage. Lou graduated from Osage High School in 1951 and proceeded to marry her H.S. sweetheart, Richard “Dick” Dean on November 2, 1952 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Osage. Lou worked various jobs in Osage, some of them including; Montgomery Wards, Fox River Knitting Mill, in-home day care, Home Trust Bank and Savings, and Osage Municipal Utilities. Lou was most known by the citizens of Osage in her position at Osage Farmers National Bank, later named First Citizens Bank. Lou truly enjoyed her role with the Heritage Club, when Dick assisted her with educational day trips and travel opportunities, namely, Alaska, Canada, and Switzerland. Dick and Lou together, in their semi-retirement, traveled the U.S. working for Theobold’s out of Stacyville, and spent the winters in McAllen, Texas playing golf, pool, and spearheading various activities and parties for their retirement community. Lou was always an active soul and enjoyed the fellowship of others. She was active in sports including basketball, softball, and loved to sing. A member of the choir at Trinity Lutheran Church, Women’s A Capella Group, and Sweet Adalines. As noted in her baby book Lou could sing, “Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone,” at 16 months. Dick and Lou, together enjoyed numerous social activities with their friends; bowling, card club, snowmobiling, boating, fishing and traveling. Lou’s sole activity was flower gardening and her admiration for birds, roses, and fresh lilacs. She was an excellent seamstress sewing dresses and outfits for her daughters’ weddings, homecoming and holidays. She could sew curtains, drapes, reupholster furniture, and together with Dick, they put new felt on their pool table. Lou is survived by her three daughters, Julie (Larry) Clark of Waterloo, Lori (Mike) Nikolas of Blue Springs, Missouri, and Sheri Dean (partner Cynthia Evans) of Rockford, Illinois, six grandchildren; Jason (Katrina) Hemann, Justin (Jennifer) Hemann, Dana (Chad) White, Micaela (Thomas) Myres, Brian (Sarah) Clark, Jennifer (Chris) Hauser, and 16 great-grandchildren. MaryLou was preceded in death by her husband, Dick, her parents, Clarence and Gladys, and two sisters, Bonnie Klemesrud and Cleone Weaverling. May Dick and Lou be joined together and with their family rest with our Heavenly Father. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Alzheimer Association 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 22, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., at Champion Funeral Home, with Pastor Bryan Julin-McCleary officiating. Burial will be in the Osage Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday at Champion Funeral Home. Champion Funeral Home of Osage is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.schroederfuneralhomes.com.