Roger ‘Dean’ Van Gundy of Yale

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Roger “Dean” Van Gundy, son of Ralph Van Gundy and Zella Herrick Van Gundy, was born near Grand Junction, Iowa, March 1, 1933, and died April 15, 2017, at the Rowley Masonic Community in Perry, Iowa. He was 84 years, 1 month and 14 days old.

A Celebration of Life service was held April 19 at Hastings Funeral Home to remember Dean’s life. The Rev. Charlene Wolfe (retired) of the Hope Parish United Methodist Churches in Bagley offered a comforting message, with many family and friends adding memories.

A time of refreshment and fellowship was also held at the funeral home. Burial was at the Dodge Township Cemetery near Bagley.

Dean, as he was lovingly known, moved with his family to Jamaica and graduated from Jamaica High School in 1951.

Dean worked for the Milwaukee Railroad for a time but was always a farmer at heart.

He was united in marriage with Judy Kay Wolfe July 7, 1968. The couple was blessed with three children, Scott, Kimberly and Deanna.

They farmed in the Bagley area. During his farming career, he raised hogs as well as row crops. Dean owned and operated Van Gundy Corn Shelling and Trucking while actively farming. He quit shelling in 1982. In 1998, Dean and Judy purchased a farm near Lacona, Iowa.

After Judy’s death Jan. 18, 2003, Dean continued to farm until he retired and moved back to Yale in 2008.

Dean had always enjoyed “his” tractors, restoring them and collecting toy tractors, and he always enjoyed working with brothers, Bob and Gordy, on tractor restoration and going on many tractor rides, including the WHO and Lions Club Rides. He also collected knives and guns.

Dean enjoyed snowmobile trips in earlier days. He also liked watching Channel Eight faithfully and especially liked sports. Cards with Jane Windal and the Jamaica card group were a Saturday night high point for him.

However, family was most important to Dean. He loved being with his children and grandchildren as well as his large extended family.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Judy; sisters, Carolyn Sue, in infancy, Bonnie Marchant and Marvel Kenney; brothers,  James, Stanley and LeRoy Van Gundy.

Dean is sadly missed by his children, Scott Van Gundy of Yale, Kimberly Privette of Prairie Village, Kan., and Deanna Van Gundy of Yale; grandchildren, Preston Van Gundy, Noah Kirtley, Keyton Van Gundy, Mara Privette and Landon Kirtley. Dean’s surviving brothers and sister will greatly miss him also, Orville and wife, Charlene, Vernon and wife, Patty, Robert and wife, Kathy, Gordon and wife, Patty, all of Jamaica, Ron Van Gundy and wife, Debbie, and sister, Martha Stracke and husband, Don, all of Perry; nieces and nephews; other relatives; and many friends.

Memorials in Dean’s name may be sent to Hastings Funeral Home in Perry.

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