Dean E. Zupke dies at 71
Dean E. Zupke, 71, of Sumner, passed away on Thursday, August 25, 2016, at his home.Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, at the St. John Lutheran Church, Sumner. Private family burial at a later date.Visitation will be at held Friday, Sept. 2, 2016 from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner.Dean Edward Zupke, 71, passed away on Thursday, August 25, 2016 at his home in Sumner after an eight year battle with prostate cancer.Dean was born on the home farm in Sumner, to Walter and Lucille (Davis) Zupke on Dec., 17, 1944. He graduated from Sumner High School in 1963.Dean was united in marriage to Judy Puls on Nov. 21, 1965 at Richfield Lutheran Church in Sumner. To this union three children were born Krystal, Brad and Nena.Dean worked at Paul Niemann Construction in Sumner, Overton Chemical in Sumner, John Deere Waterloo Tractor Works in Waterloo, retiring in 2002 and the Tripoli Nursing Home.Dean was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner, since 1969. He also enjoyed woodworking, gardening and collecting farm toys. Dean was a Master Carpenter building two homes for his family, remodeling one for himself and his wife, and also remodeling numerous homes for his three children. Along with helping his family he also shared his many talents with friends. His favorite pastime was being around his family and attending all the grandchildren's activities.Dean is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Judy; children, Krystal (Daryl) Erickson of Mason City, Brad (Daphne) Zupke of Sumner, and Nena (Mark) Winter of Hawkeye; grandchildren Jana and Bailey Erickson, Madelon(Cody) Reed, Landon Zupke and Macey, Jensen and Elli Winter; brothers, Rollis(Diane) Zupke and Darwin (Drema) Zupke; sisters Kay (Marvin) Taylor, Beverly (Dale) Converse , and Marilyn (Keith) Westpfahl and many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Everett and a sister in infancy, Yvonne.Memorials may be directed to the family.S.K. Rogers Funeral Home in Sumner is in charge of arrangements.