Leta "Joan" Dean

Leta "Joan" (Dietz) Dean passed away, July 14, 2025, in Wichita, Kansas at the Harry Hynes Hospice. She was born on August 8, 1929, to William Raymond (Ray) and Leta Bertna (Vilott) Dietz at her grandparents’ home located 6 miles west and 1 1⁄2 miles south of Mankato, Kansas in Limestone Township.

Joan attended all her school years in lonia, Kansas where she graduated as valedictorian in 1947. She worked as a telephone operator, and later as harvest help at the elevator, until settling in as a farm wife and homemaker.

She married Robert "Bob" Dorwin Dean on August 8, 1948, at his parents' home in lonia, Kansas. To this union was born 2 sons: Jack Dorwin on September 29, 1951, and Randy Ray on May 3, 1963. Joan and Bob crop farmed, had a cow herd and raised hogs on a farrow to finish operation. They raised their boys to work hard, and the hogs came first! Joan always joked that the hogs had air conditioning long before she had it in her home.

Joan was an only child and knew it was her responsibility to "make it work"; a promise she made and kept to her mother.

Joan's boys and her grandkids were the most important thing to her. Joan & Bob followed Jack & Randy and later Trent, Brady, Shane, Samantha and Robbie in as many sports and school activities as possible. It was extremely special to her that she also had great grandchildren.

Joan loved a nice yard, balanced checkbooks, and a spic n span home. She was a great cook. The family will greatly miss her potato salad, homemade noodles, banana cream pie, white layered cake, and red jello cups with marshmallows. Joan passed on her chocolate chip cookie recipe to only a few; with Samantha winning top ribbon at the 4-H fair with them.

She was a member of Harmony United Methodist Church. She had a close circle of friends that played cards and always met for each other's birthdays.

Joan will be missed by her sons, Jack Dorwin Dean of rural Mankato, and Randy Ray Dean (Rebecca) of rural Mankato; grandchildren, Trenton Dorwin Dean, Brady Ray Dean (Ashley) and their children, Briley Rae Dean and Brantley Ray Dean, Samantha Rae Gill (Jeremy) and their son Henry Mason Gill, Robert Randy Dean (Lindsey) and their son Kash Robert Dean; step grandsons, Shane Britt and Noah Williams; and a host of other friends and relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Robert "Bob" Dean.

Funeral services will be held at Melby Mortuary on Friday, July 18, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Rod Rose officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Mankato, Ks. Visitation will take place on Thursday, July 17, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to Solomon Valley Transportation and can be sent in care of Melby Mortuary, PO Box 384, Mankato, KS 66956.