DONALD DEAN DOBERNECKER, age 84, of Ellsworth, died Friday, January 6, 2012, at the Parkview Manor Nursing Home in Ellsworth. He was born October 4, 1927, in Oakland, IA, to Carl and Edna Blanche (Watson) Dobernecker. He attended country school in rural Oakland, IA.
While working in an apple orchid, Dean met Lorraine Baal. The couple were married on June 12, 1955, in Red Oak, IA. They moved to Lorraine's family's farm south of Adrian and ran the dairy farm "Starview Holsteins" for over thirty years. In 1988, they moved to Ellsworth. Dean worked at various jobs including J & R Industries in Adrian; Cenex in Rushmore; Suedenga Industries in George, IA; Northco Industries in Luverne; and operated a daycare for over nineteen years.
He was a former member of Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth and a current member of the First Presbyterian Church in Rushmore where he had served as Sunday School Teacher, Elder & Deacon. He was also a member of the Nobles Co. ASCS; the Minnesota Holstein Association; the American Dairy Association; Extended Service of the Nobles County Soil & Water Conservation; and Dairy Superintendent and a 4-H Leader. He enjoyed training horses, gardening, bird watching, woodworking, square dancing and babysitting his grandchildren.
Dean is survived by his wife, Lorraine Dobernecker, Ellsworth; two children, David (Audrey) Dobernecker, rural Adrian; and LaDonna (Tim) Yeadon, rural Slayton; two grandchildren, Jeremy Dobernecker, Luverne; and Heather (Dylan) Klarenbeek, rural Little Rock, IA; four great grandchildren, Dominic & Ayden Rye-Dobernecker and Seth & Brekyn Klarenbeek; sister, Joan (Arlo) Perdue, Elkhorn, NE; and a sister-in-law, Sharon Dobernecker, Griswold, IA.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother, Leonard; infant sister, Leona; and a brother, Chester "Chet" Dobernecker.
Visitation will be from 5-8 pm Thursday at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Adrian. A memorial service will be 1 PM Friday at the First Presbyterian Church in Rushmore.
To view an online obituary, sign a virtual register book, or order flowers, please visit www.dingmannandsons.com